7 News Belize

Expanding The Local MMA Scene
posted (February 17, 2017)
Mixed Martial Arts has been steadily growing in popularity for the last few years. UFC viewership is at an all time high, and many people, young and old, have started practicing it - including right here in Belize. Prevail MMA is one of Belize's leading clubs. It's coaches train everyone from beginners to seasoned veterans ready to take their talents outside Belize. Tonight and tomorrow, they are holding training seminars with professional UFC fighter, Nate Marquardt, for anyone wanting to participate. We spoke to Marquardt and one of Prevail's coaches Joel Meyer, about the event.

Nate Marqardt - UFC Fighter
"It's for people of all ages and all skill and basically I'm going to do some striking, some grappling and technical seminar."

Alex Courtenay, 7News
"So as you said it's for people of all skill sets. Is there anything people need to know beforehand so that they can come in with some expectation?"

Nate Marqardt - UFC Fighter
"I will just cover some basic stuff from mix martial arts, I'll also cover some more advance stuff if there are some guys that fight so that they can use it in fights. Like I said it's for any skill level, so beginners are welcome and just bring t-shirt and athletic shorts or boy shorts. Mix martial arts is for anyone because it's for kids all the way up to older adults. You could do it for various reasons in a combination of getting in shape, it's a lot of fun, a lot of technique, self-defense, competition and really it's just the best part of mix martial arts is the interaction with other people and comradery that forms."

Alex Courtenay, 7News
"So do you guys train people from beginners up to where there are able to compete?"

Joel Meyer - Coach. Prevail MMA
"Absolutely, we started at about 13 years old, anyone is welcome, everybody is a beginner when they start and we train on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm. anyone who wants is welcome to come by."

Alex Courtenay, 7News
"Regarding the Belizeans who are actually going outside of the country and competing, could you tell us about that level of competition that we are at and if we should be expecting to see the next big fight will be a Belizean?"

Joel Meyer - Coach. Prevail MMA
"Our guys have done really well, won way more than lost, almost all of our fighters have winning records. In fact there are a couple little leagues in Mexico, that they stop inviting us because our guys would always win. Our guys are super athletic, they are driven, they are motivated and they are just great athletes. So yes if they train hard and persevere they no telling where they could go."

MMA encompasses teachings and training from dozens of martial arts, and is considered by some to be the fastest growing sport in the world.

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