The Tribune

Bahamian fighters won a pair of silver medals at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and the World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA) Unified the Pan-American Open Championships of Amateur MMA.

Marcel Amann and Christian Miller claimed historic medals for the Bahamas in the tournament finale at the Kendal Isaacs Gym on Saturday.

In the heavyweight division, Amann lost to Jonathan Muamba of Mexico via knockout, seven seconds into the first round.

Amann advanced to the final with a first round TKO over Victor Diaz of Mexico in the semi-final, 27 seconds into the second round.

In the light heavyweight division, Miller lost to Lashawn Sladden of Trinidad And Tobago via knockout, 2:20 in the second round.

Mexican fighters won five of the 10 contested gold-medal matches to close out the competition.

Several Bahamian fighters also took to the cage during the competition but finished short of the medal round.

DiJonnaise Brown advanced to the second round in the featherweight division where he lost to Walter Plazas of Colombia via TKO, 23 seconds into the second round. In his opening round, Brown defeated Justin Grey of Canada via split decision: 29-28, 29-28, 28-30.

Also on opening day, in the Bantamweight division, Kyazi Smith lost to Ishmael Zamora of Mexico via TKO, one minute into the second round on strikes and in the welterweight division, Cameron Lewis lost to Jose Luis Buitrago Sanchez of Colombia via submission on a rear-naked chokehold 2:07 into the third round.

McNeil Newton (lightweight division) was unable to compete due to a failed medical and the match was awarded to Daniel Liberson of the United States.

Khari Woods (middleweight division) was also unable to compete due to a failed medical and Julio Cesar Diaz Forero of Colombia advanced.

IMMAF President Kerrith Brown said the Bahamas delivered both in the ring and in its role as hosts as local mixed martial arts continues to boost its international profile.

“I would like to thank the hosting federation, President Kent Bazard and the Bahamas federation for its hospitality and support, also the National Sports Authority and Director of Youth, Sports and Culture. All staff, officials, medicals and volunteers who attended the Pan Am in Bahamas all Presidents and Federation for all who attended the 2019 Pan Ams in the Bahamas. “I thank you all for your support in the drive and delivery of IMMAF’s vision is invaluable. Your loyalty and commitment were greatly appreciated and without your hard work and determination the event would not have run so smoothly,” Brown said.

“May I congratulate coaches and athletes on their outstanding performances. I also thank all of our sponsors. Through all of your efforts we as a team delivered another successful event.

“Congratulations to all for a job well done. Our athletes have shown respect, honour and integrity throughout the championships. Well done. I look forward to seeing you all at the next event the European Championships, June 2019 in Rome.

“We are looking to a Pan American Championships in the Caribbean to boost engagement and sport development across the region, by offering a local platform in this talent rich continent.

“Athletes from the United States, Canada and both Central and South America have a record of exceptional achievement under the IMMAF- WMMAA banner, and our coaches and talent development scheme has enjoyed a successful launch in Pan American countries,” Brown said.

Amateur MMA competitors from all IMMAF-WMMAA competed in six categories for women and 10 categories for men. Participating countries included the Bahamas, Mexico, Canada, Colombia, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, France, the Czech Republic, the United States and Jamaica.

Dr Kent Bazard, of the Bahamas Wushu/Sanda Association, founder of Empire Mixed Martial Arts and the Bahamas Open Martial Arts Championships fight series, said it marks a significant milestone for MMA in the Bahamas.

“It’s a big deal for the region and bringing this type of large event to the region and specifically to the Bahamas is very important to the sport and the development of local MMA,” Dr Bazard said. “We are looking forward to hosting this first event and looking forward to the event being even larger next year,

The event is hosted by Empire Mixed Martial Arts Bahamas, and in addition to medals for the top three finishers, fighters will also be vying for IMMAF World Amateur MMA ranking points.