Colombian MMA fighters in Aruba seize a new international opportunity
Jhon Martínez and Johan Narváez traveled to Aruba looking to compete again. The Colombian MMA fighters found that opportunity at WKA Aruba. Furthermore, both returned to Colombia with victories.
The challenge also meant stepping out of their usual environment. The two Blair Team athletes competed bare-knuckle, despite primarily coming from an MMA background. This format represents a new showcase for fighters looking to stay active and gain international exposure.
A Different Opportunity
For Narváez, the opportunity came after several fights fell through.
“We are fighters and it reached a point where we basically wanted to fight,” he told Fajador.
At the start of the fight, he had to adapt to the new format. For this reason, he began with a more defensive stance. However, once he found his rhythm, he began to take the initiative.
Martínez also faced difficulties. During the first round, he found few openings against his opponent. Nevertheless, in the second round, he managed to connect more cleanly and scored a knockdown.
Furthermore, Martínez continued fighting despite injuring his hand.
“The first thing I felt was satisfaction,” he explained. “Sometimes you are too hard on yourself, but positive results show that things are being done right.”
Bare-knuckle also represents an alternative for athletes coming from MMA. In this way, they can compete under different conditions and reach new audiences.
In this case, WKA Aruba provided that international stage.
Colombia Continues To Gain Ground
Beyond the victories, both fighters recognize the growth of combat sports in Colombia.
Narváez believes that there are currently more options for training in different disciplines. Likewise, he feels that Colombians have demonstrated a high level when competing abroad.
“Those who have gone abroad have demonstrated a very high level against other countries,” he noted.
For him, constant preparation is essential.
“You have to be ready because opportunity knocks on the door at any moment.”
On his part, Martínez also believes in Colombian talent. However, he considers it important to continue strengthening investment, competition, and support for athletes.
“In Colombia, sports often depend on the athlete’s own pocket,” he stated.
Martínez and Narváez train with the Blair Team. Furthermore, the team has Javier “Blair” Reyes and his path to the UFC as one of its leading figures.
The Next Step
After Aruba, both fighters have a similar goal. First, recover. Then, return to training and prepare for the next opportunity.
For Martínez and Narváez, WKA Aruba represented two victories and a new international experience.
At the same time, their results reflect a positive trend for Colombia. More and more fighters are looking to compete outside of their usual circuits.
Additionally, new formats are creating other opportunities to showcase their skills.
For now, Aruba was one more step. However, for both fighters, the journey continues.
