Northern Virginia’s largest and longest running mixed martial arts event returns to Dulles Sportsplex this Saturday, July 30th, for Operation Octagon’s 15th card. Since January 2008, Operation Octagon promoter Art Sylmar has promoted mixed martial arts events in Northern Virginia. Competitors from Operation Octagon shows have gone on to compete professionally in the M-1 Challenge, Ultimate Warrior Challenge, and the sport’s biggest promotion, the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In a night packed with title bouts, fighters from all over the DC area and beyond will face off in the cage in Sterling, Virginia to prove they’re the next warriors ready to be a star.
In the main event, 5-0 amateur fighter Duy Le will face Michael Ledman from Southern Maryland Jiu Jitsu for the vacant 145lb featherweight title. The former champ Casey Watson of Fredericksburg is going professional and has vacated his belt. Local fans are sure to be familiar with Duy who has won four times in Operation Octagon, and fights out of Vanguard gym in Manassas. Duy won his last fight by triangle choke in the first round, but has gone to close decisions several times in the past. “I’d stick to low risk stuff because I was fighting not to lose, but my coach (Doug Esposito) wants me to take chances to finish. I don’t want to leave it to the judges,” says Duy. When asked how he feels fighting for the featherweight championship, Duy replies, “Fighting for the title gives me the opportunity to prepare for five minute rounds, like in a professional fight. Until now I’ve only fought the usual 3 minute amateur rounds.” He isn’t the only Vanguard fighter with a title on the line Saturday night. In the co-main event, current 155lb lightweight champ Mike Pope will be defending his belt against Spencer Strube from Clinch Academy in Frederick, Maryland.
Gold Medal Grappling, out of Woodbridge, will also have a busy night Saturday with multiple fighters on the card. Super flyweight Samir Farid will face Brandon Wheeler for the 130lb belt. Gold Medal Grappling has a history with Operation Octagon, as it is the home of Ultimate Fighter finalist, Kris McCray, who was the Operation Octagon Middleweight Champ before he went pro and all the way to finalist on The Ultimate Fighter reality show and several UFC cards. Willie "No Love" Floyd (4-1 amateur MMA record) from Gold Medal Grappling will face Perrin Carter in a 170lb match. Floyd’s coming off an impressive TKO victory in the second round at the last event in March.
With 18 fights on the card, fans are guaranteed a night of excitement. Dulles Sportsplex is located at 21610 Atlantic Blvd. in Sterling Virginia. The fights will start at 7:30pm on Saturday July 30th. Tickets are going fast at www.operationoctagon.com. Tune back in to the BloodyDCMMA.com for event coverage, photos, and results.
- Jim Kirkland
