BRAVE CF’S PROVEN EUROPEAN TRACK RECORD COULD IGNITE MMA BOOM IN ITALY

Seef District, Bahrain - 28 July 2021

History, arts, and food will forever be associated with the rich culture of Italy. But little did many living outside Europe know that sports in the country has a long tradition.

Like in most European nations, football is widely popular in Italy. The national team has won the FIFA World Cup on four different occasions, most recently in 2006.

Meanwhile, automobile racing comes in as a close second with many Italian engineers and drivers having contributed much to the said sport.

When it comes to combat sports, Italy has produced a handful of notable names such as fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti and professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino.

But as far as mixed martial arts (MMA) is concerned, it has not caught on yet. All that could change on August 1st as BRAVE Combat Federation makes its first venture on Italian soil.

The Bahrain-headquartered outfit is set to host BRAVE CF 52: Bad Blood in the beautiful city of Milan, featuring a Light Heavyweight World Championship clash between middleweight titleholder Mohammad “The Latest” Fakhreddine and Mohamed “L'Ambiance" Said Maalem.

It is a welcome development for The Golden Cage--a local MMA promotion that has been spearheading the sport's rise from obscurity in the country since 2017.

It has been an uphill climb for the Italian MMA scene. Despite churning out top-caliber competitors like Marvin Vettori, Alessio Sakara and Alessio Di Chirico, it still does little to prevent many talents from leaving home to find greener pastures as opportunities range from low to none.

Ardent to push MMA into greater heights in Italy, The Golden Cage found an ally in BRAVE CF, an organization that has held 51 shows in 22 different countries—seven of which are European nations such as Northern Ireland, England, Sweden, Russia, Slovenia, Romania and Belarus.

“We have visited so many countries throughout our journey to help facilitate a global ecosystem for MMA. Our goal, apart from national sports development, is also to bring a positive change to MMA that will see the best talent from each country becoming global stars with talent being the only variable,” BRAVE CF president Mohammed Shahid stated.

"There are plenty of European fighters who are yet to be given an opportunity and we look forward to showing the excellence of European fighters to the world," the head honcho added.

For 2021, Europe has been the center of BRAVE CF’s attention, kicking off the year with a stacked card in Sochi, Russia last January.

The company upped the ante last June 4 by staging its maiden show in Minsk, Belarus, catering 11 high-octane bouts that managed to feature six up-and-comers from the host nation.

On August 1, BRAVE CF will be breaking new ground, widening its footprint in the continent.

With the foothold that BRAVE CF has already established in Europe, Swiss standout Kevin Ruart feels that Italian MMA could benefit the most from the promotion's forthcoming foray in Milan, Italy.

"BRAVE CF has top-level fighters on their roster that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Aside from that, they offer world-class production. Look at the events they held in the past. The production value is second to none. Truly marvelous," Ruart said.

“Combining good cage action and world-class production, I think that's the brand of MMA the Italian people will have to watch and will turn them into fans of the sport. And BRAVE CF can offer that to them."

Italian fans are in for a treat as their very own Enrico “The Killing Machine” Cortese gets the spotlight in the co-headliner as he squares off with Russian grappling wizard Rustam Chsiev.

The rest of the explosive main card will likewise serve as a showcase for a host of the very best international talents in MMA.

Former BRAVE CF Featherweight World Champion Elias “Smile” Boudegzdame will make his much-awaited return as he is slated to face France’s Brice “Lion Kid” Picaud.

On the other hand, former BRAVE CF Welterweight World Champion Abdoul “Lazy King” Abdouraguimov looks to continue his ascent in his new division by locking horns with 2021 Knockout of the Year candidate Nursulton Ruziboev.

Chechnya-born Swiss standout Husein Kadimagomaev is scheduled to battle Agshin “Warrior” Babaev of Azerbaijan, while 2020 BRAVE CF Breakout Fighter of the Year awardee Mochamed “The Beast” Machaev takes on Gamzat Magomedov.

Sanofi Celebrates International Self Care Day with Power To Love Yourself Completely Online Event

Manila, Philippines — In celebration of International Self Care Day, Sanofi Philippines held an Instagram Live event called Power to Love Yourself Completely to discuss topics related to self care. Sanofi invited MommaNManila founder Michelle Aventajado and She Talks Asia Co-Founder and CEO Lynn Pinugo to talk about self care, with topics such as how to teach kids about self care, and how working millennials can take care of themselves while working from home.

In line with the Global Self-Care Federation’s theme, #SelfCarePromise, the event also invited everyone to share their self care promises online, empowering the viewers to take the step towards taking care of themselves even in the smallest ways.

Promoting a holistic approach to health is a big part of Sanofi’s Panata, and encouraging others to practice self care is a part of this. Jill Ong-Lim, Group Brand Manager of Sanofi Consumer Healthcare shared, “We need to realize that self sare in itself is the goal. Not just for others, but just for yourself. ”

Janeena Chan moderated the discussion, sharing her own experience and tips for practicing self care. “Your reality is shaped within your mind, so as long as you know that you can get back up again, you’ll be okay.”

For Lynn Pinugo, it’s important that we know the difference between self soothing and self care. “Self soothing are those emergency routines that we do when we’re feeling bad, while self care are the things that you do so you build emotional agility. For self care, it’s the things you do so you don’t gas out, it’s more for the long term.”

As a mom, Michelle Aventajado also pointed out that self care can be anything simple. “Self care can be so many things. For me, it’s waking up early enough and having quiet time for myself, reading my bible and drinking coffee. For me, it’s to rest when I’m tired, stop when I’m overwhelmed, pause and reflect. And when my kids see me doing that, I’m setting an example.”

The event was attended by over 100 participants who shared their own self care promises via the comments section.

Sanofi Philippines encourages everyone to make their own self care promises via selfcarepromise.org and share them on Instagram, tagging @sanofi.ph, with the hashtags #SelfCarePromise, #ISCD21, and #HealthierPhilippines.

Watch the video here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CRqhk6KHr5c/

MSME Week 2021 to Recognize Outstanding Entrep, Inspire Others

DAVAO CITY – This year’s celebration of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Week will highlight optimism amid the current uncertainties.

Since March 2020, the local entrepreneurs have been facing several challenges because of the global health crisis. In the meantime, a number of them had decided to suspend their operations until things get better, while others completely closed their businesses.

The MSME Week 2021 is seen as an avenue to promote entrepreneurship and inspire more local entrepreneurs to continue despite the setbacks since the government has been doing its best to extend the necessary assistance.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said that the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic cannot be denied. Hence, the Davao Region MSME Development Council, together with the National MSMED Council, will make the MSME Week 2921 celebration on August 2 to 6 special for them.

“Despite the lifting of the Enhanced Community Quarantine and opening of the economy, some of the MSMEs have remained incapable of bouncing back. Their cash flows are still tight and could not sustain their operation,” Ambi said.

With the theme “Makabagong MSMEs: Bagong Pag-asaLaban sa Pandemya,” the virtual celebration is expected to spread hope and continuously inspire the MSMEs. Among the lined up discussions are Improved Business Climate on day 1; Improved Access to Finance on day 2; Enhanced Management and Labor Capacities on day 3; Improved Access to Technology and Innovation on day 4; and Improved Access to Market on day 5.

The week-long celebration will be culminated with the Search for the Most Outstanding MSMEs in the New Normal awarding. This is to give recognition to those who have overcome the hardships and challenges brought about by the pandemic.

“This will look into how the entrepreneurs turned the pandemic into a season of opportunities and how they have continued to thrive amidst economic hardships and uncertainties. Their success stories will surely bring inspiration to many,” the DTI official shared, adding that these inspiring MSMEs will be the face of competitiveness, innovativeness, and resilience.

Since January this year, DTI 11 has already assisted a total of 13,998 MSMEs through various programs such as product development, capacity building, marketing and promotion. The office is targeting to assist 23,000 MSMEs at the end of the year.

Ambi encouraged everyone to participate in the region’s MSME Week 2021 celebration and follow the DTI 11 official Facebook page (DTI Region 11) to get updates about the upcoming event.