The Empire Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) team continued on its mission to raise the awareness of the sporting discipline of Mixed Martial Arts throughout The Bahamas, as it fielded two fighters in international competition over the weekend. Team Beast Mode participated in Combat Night 42 at the Moon Night Club in Tallahassee, Florida. The program, which was hosted by Combat Night Promotions, was Empire MMA's third international appearance in less than two months.
Tyson "Kamikaze" Isaacs lost a decision to Cody Register in the 170-pound weight class, while Pierre "The Punisher" Simmons stopped Lorenzo Brown in his tracks with a second round technical knockout (TKO) in the 155-pound class.
Empire MMA founder and head coach Dr. Kent Bazard said that he was proud of his fighter's effort on Saturday, and that he has been pleased with their continued development over the past few months. Bazard, who boasts 33 years of experience in martial arts and extensive training in mixed martial arts, established Empire MMA back in 2006.
"Tyson was up first and he had a real 'bang out' with Cody," he said in an interview with The Nassau Guardian . "Those guys really went at it. A lot of MMA boxing techniques and a lot of dirty boxing techniques, and it was just a real three-round war, but Cody edged out Tyson for the decision. The crowd really didn't agree, but nevertheless, it was an exciting fight and everyone was happy with it.
"In Pierre's fight, it was a real tactical first round. He really attacked Lorenzo's legs and right off the top we found an opening. He took a lot shots in the first round, but we were able to win that one fairly easily. I think he attempted a takedown or two, but wasn't able to finish. In the second round, about a minute into it, Pierre began to work the legs once again, and on one of the shots he went for the head. I guess Lorenzo was so used to defending the legs that when Pierre threw the kick he looked down, and he caught a shin kick to the left side of his head that immediately put him down. He got a standing eight count, but right after the referee said fight, he collapsed again."
Empire MMA has been working closely with Combat Night Promotions over the past year and has had several successful showings at the group's events, which are usually held at the Moon, or the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Empire MMA also participates at Real Cage Fighting's promotions. Bazard attributes his club's recent success to the work ethic of his fighters and their will to improve daily.
"These guys sacrifice a lot to be here everyday," he said. "They are training multiple times each day and they put a lot of work into what they're doing. They put a lot of love into this, and they carry themselves like professionals. They have to monitor their training schedules, their diets, their weight, and some of them even have other clients to train, so it's a full-time job for them and they're not professionals yet. We're still really honing our skills, and everyone is still trying to feel themselves out through the amateur process, as we look to transition to becoming pros. Our goal is to really go pro here in Nassau."
Bazard also serves as the director of the now world-renowned Bahamas Open Martial Arts Championships (BOMAC), which is set for April 25. Some of the best amateur mixed martial artists in the world are expected to travel to the capital. The event has been receiving a lot of interest from around the Caribbean and the United States, according to Bazard.
"It has been building a lot, and a lot of people have been getting in contact with me," he said. "The tickets will be available next week, but we had a little problem with the venue. The National Sporting authority (NSA) booked us for the Kendal Isaacs National Gymnasium, at a time when the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said that they didn't want anyone there, so we now have to find a location for our event.
"That was unfortunate, just a small mistake on their behalf that cost us some confusion, because the fighters are coming and they have already booked flights and hotels, but regardless this show will go on. It will go on, on the 25th and we will have our location by the end of the week. We also have a team from the Cayman Islands coming now to go along with the teams from Jamaica, Trinidad and the United States."
For more information on BOMAC, interested persons are asked to contact the tournament organizers directly at info@BOMAChampionship.com or at telephone number (242) 364-9407.
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