BRAVE Combat Federation stars Stephen Loman and Drex Zamboanga have expressed concern and support for Filipinos living in Bahrain and other parts of the Middle East as regional tensions continue to escalate.
The developments hit close to home for Loman, who enjoyed one of the most dominant title reigns in BRAVE CF history. The inaugural bantamweight king sat on the throne for 1,179 days, and built a strong connection with Bahrain, where he fought three times under the promotion—highlighted by his championship-winning showing against Gurdarshan Mangat in February 2017.
“It is heartbreaking to see what is happening in the Middle East right now. Bahrain has always been close to my heart because of my journey with BRAVE CF. My thoughts are with every Filipino family facing uncertainty and fear during this time,” Loman said.
Zamboanga, who signed with the promotion in February 2025, echoed his sentiments as he continues his run on the global stage.
“I offer my prayers to all Filipinos in Bahrain and throughout the Middle East. May God surround you with protection, strength, and comfort in these difficult times,” the former URCC bantamweight king stated.
As of early 2026, roughly 2.1 to 2.4 million Filipinos are based across the Middle East. Large communities remain in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, along with sizable numbers in Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Of that total, around 86,000 are currently in high-risk areas and could face repatriation if the situation worsens.
Drex Zamboanga, Stephen Loman on the Shelf for Now
The unrest has also begun to affect the fight calendar, with both athletes’ scheduled appearances under the BRAVE CF banner now tentatively moved to the second quarter of 2026.
Still, Loman is holding on to hope for a resolution sooner rather than later.
“I pray that peace will prevail soon. I look forward to stepping back inside the cage and bringing pride and joy to our fellow Filipinos in the Middle East, especially in times like this,” he pointed out.
Zamboanga shared a similar outlook, emphasizing unity and resilience despite the ongoing crisis.
“Many are directly or indirectly affected by this war, and it is not easy for anyone. Still, I believe there is light ahead. We hold on to hope and continue to stay strong together,” Zambonga added.
