The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

A LONE Bahamian competitor will travel to represent the country at the 2018 Unified World Mixed Martial Arts Championships.

Christian Miller will compete in the Men's Light Heavyweight (93kg/205 lbs) division at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and the World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA) Unified World Championships in Manama, Bahrain.

Miller will make his MMA debut at the event, hosted during BRAVE International Combat Week, November 12-17 at the Khalifa Sports City Arena in Manama. Dr Kent Bazard of the Bahamas Wushu/Sanda Association, founder of Empire Mixed Martial Arts and the BOMAC fight series said despite the lilited preparation time, Miller should expect a positive showing.

"He has been training about eight months total with us," he said, "We were offered an invitation three weeks ago so he had limited time to get ready. Fortunately he was in relative good shape. I believe he will represent well.

MixedMartialArts.com previewed the event, which will feature a record setting number of participants.

"The elite amateur tournaments will follow the IMMAF Championships format across five days and 14 weight divisions, and take place under the Unified Amateur MMA Rules.

The Senior Championship features 287 registered athletes from 52 nations, while the inaugural Junior tournament (18-20 year olds) showcases 80 competitors from 33 nations, making the event the largest of its kind."

The Bahrain MMA Federation, with the support of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, is hosting the event.

The Bahamas joined IMMAF in 2016, a move that Dr. Bazard said was in line with the rapid development of the sport.

"We've come a long way and we're always looking for the next standard. Right now the next standard is for us to reach the international level. It immediately added legitimacy to our events because we are held to an international standard these organisations establish," he said at the time of the announcment, "For them to support us is a big deal. It forces us to maintain that standard and it helps our local fighters to get a lot of international exposure. For our fighters to compete at home and to be recognised internationally is a great accomplishment and not have to travel halfway across the world, which is a challenge. We will have access to their knowledge, techniques and personnel who will advise us on everything from promotion, setup to event production."

IMMAF President Kerrith Brown visited the capital in 2017 on a site visit to meet with stakeholders and assess the local state of the sport. Brown said the affiliation will pay immediate dividends for the Bahamas.

"The federations that come under our umbrella are entitled to bid for events like the Continental Championships, World Championships or the other events. The main benefit is the growth and development of the sport through networking, assistance, education and training," he said, "The main benefit is that the Bahamas will be involved with a governing body that has a strong vision to become an Olympic sport and benefit your athletes in the future martial arts.