Copa Combate’s Gloriosa Bravo: I will no longer be a victim

On November 12, 1993, Campbell McLaren introduced mixed martial arts to the world with an 8-man tournament. 24 years later to the day, it’s going to happen again, with salsa. On Saturday into Sunday McLaren’s Combate America’s promotion is holding the Copa Combate, an 8-man tournament with $100,000 at stake, featuring the best new Hispanic talent from across the Americas, and from Europe. The semis and finals will broadcast live on NBCUniversal’s Telemundo network and on NBCSN, from Cancun, Mexico on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 11:30 p.m. ET. There will be Spanish and English language broadcasts.

There is a Latin style of play in combat sports. If you had to sum it up in a single word – and you can’t – it would be macho. However, the broadcast will also feature a women’s strawweight co-main event between undefeated knockout artist Melissa ‘Super Melly’ Martinez of Mexico City, Mexico, and submission expert Gloria ‘Gloriosa’ Bravo of Santiago, Chile. McLaren predicts that it could be the greatest fight on this most-macho of card.

All eyes will be watching our Copa Combate tournament fighters this weekend in Cancun, said McLaren, as transcribed by Jesse Holland for MMA Mania. But don’t be surprised if the Bravo-Martinez fight steals the show.

Bravo prepared for her fight in La Jaula at Ultimate Couture in Vegas, training with now retired UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate.

“Gloria already has the heart of a champion, said Tate. I don’t have to teach her that. She’s such a fast learner, she definitely added some new tools to her game this fight camp.

But Bravo revealed she has been in a more important fight. She recently left her husband after what she describes as years of physical and emotional abuse. And she bravely posted video on her social network.

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I’m not ashamed to say, ‘I am and I was a woman beaten by her ex-husband,’ said Bravo. I will no longer be a victim. I uploaded that video to protect myself and to help motivate other women to speak up.

[My pro fight career] is not a game, or something that I’m doing to be fashionable. This is the life I chose since I was very young. My desire to represent Chile in international competition led me to the world of jiu-jitsu and ultimately, Combate Americas.

I knew it was a big risk to accept a fight against a finisher like Martinez, but I came to win. Working with so many high-level athletes at Xtreme Couture has given me the confidence to perform at my peak. I don’t know what my opponent is doing in camp, but I know she’s not training with Miesha Tate.

I’m very happy. I’m ready to move forward and do my job, Bravo said. I’ve learned a lot and I have a lot of new skills. Chileans are strong people and I’m also a strong woman. Chilean women always come out on top.

I’m very happy. I’m ready to move forward and do my job. I’ve learned a lot and I have a lot of new skills. Chileans are strong people and I’m also a strong woman. Chilean women always come out on top.