BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Federation’s first ever Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) professional fighter, Tija Stanley, dominated his fight in Venezuela against Hervick Martinez of that country, defeating him in round one of a fight that took place in late November.
Stanley was invited to fight in Venezuela after he was seen in England earlier this year in two successful fights.
Speaking with SKNVibes, Stanley said that “46 seconds in the first round I broke his nose and ended the fight with a rare Naked Choke”.
He said that after that impressive showing, he was invited to return to Venezuela to compete at the next show for an eight-man winner take all battle scheduled for early next year.
Stanley was auditioning for a MMA school called Enervit Fighters MMA that was seeking to recruit him, and noted that they were impressed by his showing in the fight against Martinez.
The language barrier, he said, was his most difficult challenge in Venezuela but his little knowledge of Spanish went a long way and he was also helped by a translation app on his phone.
Stanley however described the trip as a good experience and acknowledged the warmth of the Venezuelan people.
He informed that leading up to his next opportunity, he would just be training and has already had responses in finding individuals for him to fight.
He dreams of creating more exposure for the sport in St. Kitts and Nevis and wants to know how one goes about getting government’s support to do so.
Stanley also expressed his wishes to see its development in the Federation with the aim of teaching discipline to the youths. He also hopes to develop a boxing programme in his homeland with the aim of producing quality boxers at the Olympics level.
