Brace is going international in 2016 with the Australian based promotion set to stage their first New Zealand show in June.
Joining Brace as the New Zealand General Manager will be Kiwi MMA veteran, coach and promoter Matt Cain.
“MMA is a growing sport in New Zealand and with more high-profile New Zealand based/born fighters like Mark Hunt, Robert Whittaker, James Te Huna and Dylan Andrews prominent in the UFC now it’s only going to grow. With the Fight Pass deal BRACE has with the UFC I’m excited to be able to kick-start the career of the next big thing out of the New Zealand fight scene”. Cain commented via a Brace press release.
Kya Pate, CEO of Brace said about Cain’s new role with the promotion, “Matt was my only choice (for the role). We would not be doing shows in New Zealand without him. Matt is a highly respected industry professional and since the first time I met him after he headlined BRACE 1, back in 2009, we have had a good rapport. His experience, intelligence, and industry insight is a valuable asset to any organisation and I feel completely comfortable having Matt as the BRACE New Zealand General Manager. I expect you will see Matt do fantastic things for New Zealand MMA and really take it to the next level.”
Further details regarding the date and location of the promotion’s debut NZ event, which is being targeted for Brace 41, are yet to be finalised.
Since its inception back in 2009, Brace has held over 40 events in eight Australian cities. In 2014 the promotion introduced year-long eliminator style title tournaments across multiple divisions. In 2015 Brace signed a content deal with UFC Fight Pass and broadcast their first event, Brace 37 in November, via the online digital streaming service.
The next offering from the promotion is slated for March 26 at the Bigtop in Luna Park, Sydney. The event will be headlined by a bantamweight clash between Invicta FC’s Jessica Rose-Clark and accomplished Mauy Thai fighter Jade Thomson.
