Eldar Eldarov throws some early jabs at Russia and Ireland

Cape Town — Brave Combat Federation’s super lightweight champion, Eldar Eldarov threw some early jabs at opposing teams ahead of the MMA Super Cup next month.

A first of its kind, the Mixed Martial Arts Super Cup — which will see eight amateur teams compete against each other in a single-elimination tournament for the ultimate prize of

R1 551 990 — will take place at the Brave International Combat Week in Bahrain next month.

Last week the quarter-final draw saw Russia facing Ireland, while the Kingdom of Bahrain — coached by Eldarov — set to take on Tajikistan.

Following the news of the draw, Russian-born Eldarov (13-2) took to Instagram warning Team Ireland of the tough task ahead, while also using the opportunity to mock Russia on their “easy draw”.

"Russia got an easy draw for MMA Super Cup, but the harder the way, the better the feeling will be when we get this cup," responded the Bahrain-based Eldar in response to Russian Mixed Martial Arts Union head coach, Gennady Pavlovich Kapshay who said that his team was “lucky” to get Ireland instead of Bahrain, Kazakhstan or Tajikistan.

“I can't hide the fact that we were lucky with our rivals in the qualifying stage, in the other subgroup three strong national teams of Bahrain, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan will meet at once,” says Kapshay.

The remaining quarter-finals draw sees Ukraine facing the Arab Champs, while Kazakhstan face the Balkan Champions.

Eldarov was vocal about his team’s intentions, stating that the Kingdom of Bahrain — who excelled at the last World Championships, winning first place overall in the senior divisions — will go all out in search of the win.

The participating teams — all selected through the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation senior