BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN – Two local men have been charged with instigating a public brawl at the country’s first amateur kickboxing event held at the Airport Mall two weeks ago.
Footage of the two defendants — Herdywandey Yussof, 34, and Mohammad Shahrimanshah Abdul Rahim, 33 — causing a fight at the STRIKE: Battle of Pride event went viral on social media, drawing scorn from internet users.
The second day of the tournament was cancelled due to the public disturbance.
The duo appeared in court on Wednesday, facing two charges — the first for committing an affray and second for disturbing the peace.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. If convicted, they could face a fine and up to four years in jail.
“This is the first combats sports expo of its kind to be held in Brunei. The organiser Strike BN as well as the rest of the combat sports and martial arts community have worked hard together to make this event happen,” said Khalifa Mixed Martial Arts, a local MMA gym that participated in the event on November 10.
“We had foreign participants and it only took only one Bruneian to take us all backwards. What transpired last night did not represent the vision and mission that the martial arts and combat sports community is passionate about.”
The court set the case for further mention on December 6 to fix trial dates.