Brave new world for Katona

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This article was published 14/03/2022 (1530 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeg’s Brad Katona is one of the best bantamweight mixed martial arts fighters in the world.

And now he has the championship belt to back it up.

Last Friday in the main event of Brave Combat Federation 57 at a packed Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town, Bahrain, Katona (11-2) edged out Hamza Kooheji (11-3) in a five-round split decision for the promotion’s vacant bantamweight title. Katona outgrappled his opponent for the majority of the fight, but with Kooheji hailing from Bahrain, the Canadian felt uneasy leaving his first career title match in the hands of the judges. But when the gold confetti rained down from the ceiling, it was Katona that had the strap on his shoulder.

“Because I was in enemy territory I was very worried that it was going to get taken from me,” Katona told the Free Press on Monday in a phone interview.

“… I saw all the cameras were on him so I was extremely concerned. Thankfully, there were two good judges and they deemed that I did enough to earn the decision and I completely agree.”

You could make a strong argument that Katona’s belt is the most prestigious championship won by a cage fighter out of Winnipeg. Katona, 30, originally made a name for himself in 2018 when he won The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated to earn a six-figure UFC contract. After going 1-2 for Dana White’s brand, Katona — who resides in Dublin and trains out of the same place as UFC superstar Conor McGregor, Straight Blast Gym Ireland, for coach John Kavanagh — signed with Brave CF with the goal of being the face of their bantamweight division.

Brave is based out of the Middle East and is considered the fastest growing MMA company in the world today.

“This means a lot to me. When I signed with Brave, this is what I was gunning for,” Katona said.

“My coach John Kavanagh has had a couple athletes compete for belts recently… and they came up just short. I know he really wanted this Brave belt. He’s never had a Brave champion before so for me to be the first to get him one was very satisfying.”

Katona is now 3-0 since taking his talents to Brave, but going up against a hometown hero on Friday was his toughest challenge yet. Kooheji won his last four fights and a win over Katona would’ve made him the first combat sports champion from Bahrain.

“We were in enemy territory and that was definitely felt. Even as I was walking through the tunnel walking out to the fight, there were his teammates on both sides of me booing as I was walking through so I was like ‘Alright, I get it. We’re in the lion’s den here,’” Katona said.

“But they couldn’t help him in the cage. It’s only him in there and he’s the one that has to do it. So for me, it was just keeping my cool… and I went out and did it. It was awfully satisfying. They’re calling for a rematch but let’s bring it into my territory. Let’s have it in Dublin, Ireland.”

Despite the time difference and competing on the other side of the globe, Katona said he felt the love and support from Winnipeg. Katona originally got his start in the sport at the Winnipeg Academy of Mixed Martial Arts and United Boxing Club before moving to Dublin in 2017.

“There were a lot of people back home that I was hearing from, people that I went to elementary school or high school with, who were saying how they watched it while they were at work. One of them called a meeting just to watch it… I’m sure their bosses aren’t too happy but the support I got was unreal with people back home tuning in, congratulating me and sharing their stories with me. To me, that blows my mind,” said Katona.

Katona flew back to Dublin early Sunday morning and was back at it in the gym on Monday.

There’s no rest for the champ.

“I’m healthy and I’m extremely motivated coming off a big win. I realize that I still need to get better… I know the threats that are coming and I know what I want to do in this sport is pretty big so it’s important that I get back to work.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31