The Tribune

To the novice watching an Empire Mixed Martial Arts (EMMA) Team training session, it may seem like brute fighting and violence. Upon closer inspection, one will discover that the team is engaging in mixed martial arts, a sport where participants use exceptional skill and technique.

Mixed Martial Arts is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, with more new professionals and new athletes per year than any other sport. The rules of the sport are very strict and all fighters are highly trained.

Empire Mixed Martial Arts was established in 2006 by Dr Kent Bazard, BSc MD. Dr Bazard has 33 years of experience in martial arts and extensive training in mixed martial arts. Dr Bazard started the Empire Mixed Martial Arts Team with seven persons. Through word of mouth and team competition, the EMMA team has grown to 22 fighters.

The fight team engages in multiple fight disciplines, including Sanda. Sanda is a combination of all Chinese martial arts strikes and take downs.
Sporting has been a very powerful cultural force in our community and has significantly enhanced youth development.

In recent years, research has shown that physical education and sports play an important role in school life and may help to improve behaviour, health, develop social skills and in turn, have a positive influence on academic performance.

Specifically, mixed martial arts provide excellent physical training, a sense of discipline, a sense of accomplishment and international exposure.

Empire Mixed Martial Arts has expanded to include a martial arts children’s programme. The discipline and self-confidence that children will acquire in the programme will help them grow into well-rounded adults and empower them to more effectively handle problems, including bullying.

The programme was introduced this summer at the J Line Fitness summer camp and will fully commence this fall at Genesis Academy.

Empire Mixed Martial Arts also fights to bring positive change and development to communities throughout New Providence.

In September, EMMA will launch a community Mixed Martial Arts programme at Salem Union Baptist Church to serve the Bain and Grants Town community.

Dr Bazard thanked Royal Bank of Canada for its sponsorship, “On behalf of the team I want to thank RBC for their support of the Empire Mixed Martial Arts Gym and Beast Mode Fight Team (the competition team). RBC has helped us to promote our fighters internationally. They were also instrumental in assisting us in hosting the Bahamas Open Martial Arts Championship (BOMAC).”

RBC was a gold sponsor for the 2013 Bahamas Open Martial Arts Championships. BOMAC was established as a forum to feature all martial arts in The Bahamas and promote mixed martial arts and Sanda. BOMAC has hosted over 500 competitors from 11 countries.

This year, the Bahamas Open Martial Arts Championship (BOMAC) took place on July 27 at Mario’s Bowling Alley. The event featured Kenny Johnson, a top UFC wrestler and Olympic wrestler who has coached some of the best MMA fighters in the world.

The EMMA/Beast Mode Fight Team has an open membership. Dr Bazard and his team train at J Line Fitness, Shirley Street five days a week. Team Captain, Giovanni Errison-Johnson, credits Empire MMA for giving him “a sense of confidence and a sense of direction in life”.

Surrounded by belts and trophies that the team has won at various international tournaments, Tyson Issacs, Beast Mode Fight Team member, remarked: “Mixed martial arts is an outlet. It is just like having a passion for basketball or any other sport; we just direct that passion in another form.”