First champion from Guyana to defend title at Brave 16

Guyana had its first champion in mixed martial arts during Brave 8 in Curitiba, Brazil, as Carlston Harris was crowned the inaugural welterweight champion in the presence of the legend, Wanderlei Silva. Harris has a record of 12-3-0 and has never been stopped in his 15 fight career. At Brave 16 he will defend his belt vs. Jarrah Al Selawe, who has the longest win streak in the history of Brave Combat Federation. Brave 16 takes place at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE on September 21.

Like Harris, Al Selawe has never been submitted in his career. Harris will be returning to action after overcoming a career-threatening injury that stopped him from competing for nearly a year. Currently training at the Renovação Fight Team, Harris is set to make a statement with his championship title defense.

“Being a champion is not just a title but a responsibility to represent,” said Harris. “Championship for me represents a milestone in pursuing my passion facing every challenge that came in life. I am the first champion in a global mixed martial arts promotion from Guyana. I dedicated my championship to all those wonderful people who supported me in Brazil, Guyana, and all around the world who had faith in my abilities. I will defend the title to prove a point that dreams are worth fighting for. This is about who is more hungry, resilient and passionate.”

Harris moved from Guyana to Brazil to nurture his passion and to develop his career. He made his promotional debut at Brave Combat Federation against Thiago Vieira, handing the Brazilian only the second loss in his professional career. Harris stepped in to fight Carl Booth on a day’s notice for the inaugural welterweight championship. After five rounds of action, Booth was overwhelmed by Harris’s wrestling game which earned Harris a Unanimous Decision.

“I never fought easy opponents, same is the case of Jarrah,” said Harris. “He is respectful towards me for which I respect him. He does not talk thrash which is a great quality for a martial artist. I am sure that in Abu Dhabi he will have hometown support. This doesn’t matter. Life was tough for me, for fighters like him everything went their way, apart from ma be a couple of years of tough life. Challenges and pain make me feel at home, to fight odds is a part of my life and I am coming to Abu Dhabi to fight and give my best. His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa opened doors of opportunities for fighters around the world. It will be my honor to fight before him to prove to him and dedicate my victory to him for his birthday.”