User:CFFA/sandbox

ZVONIMIR BRALA
Zvonimir Brala (born November 8, 1979)is a Croatian MMA (mixed martial arts) promoter, international matchmaker, referee, Croatian national team selector and retired welterweight mixed martial artist. Also founder of Ultimate Scorpion Team - one of the first MMA teams in Croatia (since 2003) and Night of Scorpion (Noć Škorpiona)- the most notable south-east European MMA tournaments 2005-2010.

BIOGRAPHY

Brala was born in Zadar, Croatia. He attended primary school in Posedarje,Senj and Rijeka. He split from his parents during high school that he finished in Rijeka, and remained in bad relations to date. After high school, he finished several trainer courses, MMA referee seminars, nutrition, and VIP bodyguard.

MARTIAL ARTS CAREER

After his junior swimming career (were he won numerous medals), in age 16, Brala started with boxing lessons in BK Rijeka, under Croatian legendary coach Ive Živković. Several months later, during summer break, Brala broke his right hand joint, and that was the end of his boxing. 2 years later. he joins kicboxing team during his stay in army, and in 1999 wins military kicboxing cup. After leaving army in 2000 he goes to Udine, Italy to his first vale-tudo fight. First professional defeat against Italian judo champion by armbar in 1R (and injury). 2 years later Brala is back in training with Goran Reljić ( later UFC fighter ). 2003 They start Ultimate Scorpion Team – first MMA team in middle and south Croatia. Brala starts to fight again in 2005. His most important fight was in 2009 against undefeated Ivan Buchinger (11-0-0)and it ended with KO defeat by controversal decision after Buchinger's punches in the back of the head which was forbidden. A few more fights and Brala had to pull out due his health problems (spine operation with complications). During his MMA career, he also did a few kickboxing matches and international grappling tournaments (twice second place).

MANAGER AND REFEREE

During MMA career, Brala joined WFFA (www.worldfreefightassociation.com)and became licensed referee, making justice on several European MMA associations as Heroes Gate, Fight Stage Championship,... He slowly progressed during years, first to referee instructor, than in 2012 in Pattaya, Thailand after WFFA referee seminar in Sheraton hotel, he was elected for main referee instructor. All that time Brala was also involved in numerous fighters managment, the most known of his fighters is Slovakian Attila Vegh, 2012 Bellator light heavyweght tournament winner, Ivan Buchinger, Cage Warriors and M-1 champion, Dora Perjes , WFFA champion, Goran Reljic , ex UFC contender, Moise Rimbon, etc.

REFERENCES http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Zvonimir-Brala-13444 http://www.ultimatefight.bloger.index.hr/default.aspx?tag=Zvonimir+Brala http://scorpionteam.com/borci_zvonimir_brala.htm http://www.profightstore.hr/novosti/na-sedmom-heroes-gate-u-sarajlija-dario-kadic-izgubio-od-jana-vlasaka/9608.aspx http://www.profightstore.hr/novosti/zvonimir-brala-dosadasnja-organizacija-evenata-mma-lige-nadisla-su-sva-ocekivanja/15787.aspx, http://www.vecernji.hr/borilacki-sport/u-kavezu-se-tukli-i-zidari-i-pravnici-radman-se-ispricavao-zupniku-924347 , https://hr.linkedin.com/in/zvonimir-brala-bb0255b4 , http://www.radio-mreznica.hr/vijesti/indeks/zvonimir-brala , http://www.ezadar.hr/clanak/zvonimir-brala-ocekujemo-zestoke-borbe , http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/fighter/Zvonimir-Brala:B4AEDFEACD34141D , http://cagerank.com/eR2I/Zvonimir-Brala , http://www.zadar.travel/en/lifestyle/sport/07-04-2011/ultimate-scorpion-team#.Vvh1eXoYMdQ , http://www.nokaut.hr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4617:moise-rimbon-potpiso-za-brala-promotion-interview-&catid=1:novosti&Itemid=56 , http://www.index.hr/sport/clanak/overeem-i-goodridge-u-karlovcu-big-daddy-protiv-domaceg-decka-i-srpski-fedor-protiv-attile/475455.aspx , http://www.profightstore.hr/novosti/world-free-fight-association-azerbaijan-vs-europe/5514.aspx , http://www.profightstore.hr/predstavljamo/put-ka-vatrenom-ringu/30.aspx ,