FIRST deputy chairman of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and president of Bahrain Athletics Association Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa recently launched KHK, a mixed martial arts team consisting of top professional and amateur fighters.
The team boasts talent from local and international MMA scenes. These fighters will compete across different MMA competitions while representing the same team. KHK will allow the experience of the seasoned professionals to channel through to the younger fighters.
The team includes fighters such as Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev as well as local fighters like Mohammed Shahid and Hamza Kooheji. In addition, the team has recruited
international coaching talent such as John Kavanagh and former UFC fighter Pete Williams.
The KHK team was recently unveiled to the public at a Press conference which was attended by top mixed martial artists including the likes of MMA legend Renzo Gracie and former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar.
Insight
The duo offered some insight on the impact of having KHK and how local martial artists can reap rewards from it. Gracie is a popular figure in MMA for being an expert in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as a coach of championship winners.
In his Renzo Gracie Combat Team, he has the former UFC Lightweight Champion, Edgar, who is currently fighting in the featherweight division of UFC.
“MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world, and it’s still not here, for Shaikh Khalid to make a KHK team it pushes the envelope and makes it much more popular in the Middle East,” said Edgar.
“I think it just gives a great opportunity for (local) athletes and martial artists to realise their dreams”.
Resources are crucial for fighters to develop their game, especially for amateur fighters who find it harder to get exposure to top facilities and coaches in the industry. The fact that KHK will have both amateurs and professionals competing in the same team will unify these resources, and in turn it could help amateurs make the push to professional status.
“These young amateur guys in the team are going to have some access to these great training corners, great training coaches,” said Edgar.
“These kids are athletic and now that they have the resources they have to work hard and push themselves to the limits.”
As for his involvement within KHK, Edgar relishes the prospect of being involved with such a project.
“I just think it’s something special to be part of, spreading MMA in the world and the Middle East, so why not be a part of it?” said Edgar.
The formation of the KHK team will allow Bahrain to compete on the global stage
“It (KHK) is a link between Bahrain and the world,” said Gracie.
“Because the world will know Bahrain for its fighters, and with that they will know their culture, their way of seeing life and the beauty of this amazing island.”
Through the KHK connections, team members will learn from experts and professionals who will be passing on their valuable experience to help improve the talent on the team.
“We are going to have our fighters representing Bahrain. We are going to be helping the guys here train and improve,” said Gracie. “It is going to be an exchange of knowledge and physical training.”
Gracie summarised the importance of KHK, and the value it will add to its team members. “This is exactly what they need to be better professionals and better fighters,” he added.
Edgar also spoke highly of the resources that the fighters have at hand. “Now that they have the KHK team, they have resources, so they have to put the time in and get the job done.”