There is going to be a fight this weekend.
The event will feature fighters from around the region, including four from the Virgin Islands.
In 2012, Dominic Bufton set up a “small” mixed martial arts club at the Pasea dojo, where he coaches and trains several VI fighters.
“I never really intended to get in to the competitive scene, but I was contacted by Rigo Rodriquez,” Mr. Bufton said. “He asked me if there were any lads who were really keen to fighting.”
Mr. Rodriquez is the MMA in Paradise 4 organiser.
The VI fighters are Daniel Samuel, Rashidi Rodriques, Dwayne Donovan and Julan Brown.
Mr. Bufton estimates that seven fights will take place this weekend. He added that the original card is expected to change given the availability of the fighters and the skill level of the competitors.
“It is probably the oldest sport in the world,” Mr. Bufton said. “The original Olympic sport was man-to-man combat freestyle kind of fighting. ”
He added that the sport is no more dangerous than any other sport and has never experienced any serious injuries.
“It is a brilliant sport,” Mr. Bufton said.
In March, Messrs. Rodriques and Donovan competed in an MMA event in St. Thomas and won both matches.
“I am really happy with that,” Mr. Bufton said. “One of things that my guys are absolutely brilliant at is their own conditioning.”
The coach encourages his fighters to learn different styles of fighting, whether it is boxing or judo.
Mr. Bufton said MMA events sometimes get a bad reputation, with some thinking that it attracts a “rough element,” but he disagrees.
“Everyone is there just for support and wants to see their guys do well,” Mr. Bufton said. “It is really a community-minded crowd.”
On Saturday, fighters will compete in a fenced-in arena that Mr. Bufton said is safer because competitors cannot be knocked out of the ring.
“The cage is there for a practical reason,” he said.
The event is considered “amateur” and there are “key differences” between a professional event, according to Mr. Bufton.
“The rules are stricter,” he said.
Competitors will not be able to use their elbows and deliver punches to the face while an opponent is down.
“There is, of course, no biting and striking to the back of the head,” Mr. Bufton said. “Amateur rules are designed to be very safe, but there is a real fight and a full contest in there — not dangerous, but stronger techniques.”
On Friday, the fighters will weigh in at Captain Mulligan’s at Nanny Cay.
“It will be a brilliant night out,” Mr. Bufton said. “It is really nothing the BVI has really seen before.”
Tickets can be purchased in advance at Bolo’s Department Store or Captain Mulligan’s. The event is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
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