The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

DAY one of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and the World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA) Unified Pan-American Open Championships of Amateur MMA produced mixed results for Bahamian competitors thus far.

DiJonnaise Brown was the lone Bahamian fighter to score a win yesterday in one of 12 featured bouts at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

In the Featherweight division (145 pounds), Brown defeated Justin Grey of Canada via split decision: 29 – 28, 29 -28, 28 – 30.

In the Bantamweight division, Kyazi Smith lost to Ismael Zamora of Mexico via TKO, one minute into the second round on strikes.

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.

Amateur MMA competitors from all IMMAF-WMMAA are competing in six categories for women and 10 categories for men.

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,” he added.

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

“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,” said Kerrith Brown, president of the IMMAF.

“With the support of its national sport authorities, the Bahamas has the infrastructure to deliver a great event, as well as providing a central and beautiful location for those travelling across the continent. We equally encourage athletes from further afield to make the journey, as successes in all IMMAF – WMMAA tournaments will earn an athlete ranking points in the World Amateur MMA Rankings.”

The IMMAF and the WMMA unified the sport and the organisations jointly recognised Empire Mixed Martial Arts as the only MMA federation in the Bahamas under its umbrella.

DAY ONE RESULTS

Bout 1: Male Bantamweight 61.2 kg (135 lbs) Ismael Zamora (Mexico) def. Kyazi Smith (Bahamas) via TKO (strikes), rnd 2, 1:00

Bout 2: Male Featherweight 65.8 kg (145 lbs) Mauricio Rios (Mexico) def FELIPE CISNERO (Panama) via Unanimous Decision, 29-28, 29-28, 29-28

Bout 3: Male Featherweight 65.8 kg (145 lbs) DiJonnaise Brown (Bahamas) def Justin Grey (Canada) via Split Decision 29 – 28, 29 -28, 28 – 30

Bout 4: Male Featherweight 65.8 kg (145 lbs) Walter Plazas (Colombia) def Alvin Miller (United States) via TKO (strikes), rnd 3, 2:25

Bout 5: Male Lightweight 70.3 kg (155 lbs) Daniel Liberson (United States) def McNeil Newton (Bahamas) via bye (due to failed medical – match cancelled)

Bout 6: Male Lightweight 70.3 kg (155 lbs) Kyle Cason (United States) def Imran Hall (Jamaica) via Unanimous Decision, 29-28, 30-27, 30-27

Bout 7: Male Lightweight 70.3 kg (155 lbs) Erland Meloney (Trinidad And Tobago) def Jose Flores (Panama) via bye (due to failed medical – match cancelled)

Bout 8: Male Welterweight 77.1 kg (170 lbs) Jett Grande (Canada) def Joel Geders (United States) via Unanimous Decision 30 -27, 30-27, 30-27

Bout 9: Male Welterweight 77.1 kg (170 lbs) Jose Luis Buitrago Sanchez (Colombia) def Camaron Louis (Bahamas) via Rear-Naked Choke, rnd 3, 2:07

Bout 10: Male Middleweight 83.9 kg (185 lbs) CARLOS GAMBOA (Panama) def Luis Carlos Osorio Benavides (Colombia) via Split Decision 29 – 28, 30 – 27, 28 – 29

Bout 11: Male Middleweight 83.9 kg (185 lbs) Julio cesar Diaz forero (Colombia) def Khari Woods (Bahamas) via bye (due to failed medical – match cancelled)

Bout 12: Male Heavyweight 120.2 kg (265 lbs) Jonathan Muamba (Mexico) def Jeff Bradshaw (United States) via TKO, rnd 1, 0:16