Pan-Am challenges Guyana to host Mixed Martial Arts Regional/Int’l event

Jason Fraser, who is President of the Pan American Mixed Martial Arts Federation, is challenging his Guyanese counterparts to host either the Caribbean Championships or the Pan American Championships.

Fraser, who is part of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), said they are impressed with Guyana’s growth over the past 18 months and if they are able to host one of these events it would be historic.

“I am here to challenge the President, as I have been given the responsibility, to either host the first IMMAF Caribbean Championship in Guyana or the Pan American Championships 2024,” Fraser stated.

Fraser, who is also the head of the Federations for the Caribbean and Trinidad and Tobago, was confident that hosting such events significantly boost tourism.

Additionally, the President of the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GMMAF), Gavin Singh, indicated that part of the agreement with hosting championship, is the cultural side and that means exposing visiting delegation to heritage sites or eco spots in the country.

However, for this to occur, Fraser underscored investment is needed immensely and made another challenge for Singh to ensure within 90 days they acquire an Octagon cage to enhance the athletes’ training.

GMMAF President then revealed that “in doing a proper event, you are looking at close to US$250,000.”

Last month, Guyana was unanimously voted as one of the new 20 full members of the IMMAF following the staging of the entity’s congress during the World Amateur Championship in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.

Guyana received 34-0 approval from the 37 eligible voters at the forum. The GMMAF was represented by Dr. Sawan Jagnarain at the forum which was hosted at the Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel.

Fraser noted that the current GMMAF dispensation under the leadership of Singh is the fastest-growing association in the region.