Kelsey DeSantis fights for the belt two weeks before her date with Justin Timberlake at the Marine Corps Ball. Dulles SportsPlex will be packed again Saturday night as fighters from Virginia, Maryland and beyond gather to test themselves in the Operation Octagon cage.
Northern Virginia’s largest and longest-running mixed martial arts event returns to Sterling Operation Octagon’s 16. Eighteen bouts are scheduled, with three title bouts, including a women’s featherweight championship bout with Kelsey DeSantis.
Corporal Kelly DeSantis, who won a bloody battle last March in Operation Octagon, recently made the news when she invited Justin Timberlake to the Marine Corps Ball in Washington DC on Nov. 12. The pop star accepted according to the LA Times. Kelsey faces LA Boxing fighter Stacy Sneeringer.
Operation Octagon veteran EJ Mecklenburg has earned a shot at the vacant light heavyweight title after his impressive first round submission of Shaun Kama during July's Operation Octagon. He faces Jeremy Shifflett for the belt.
Defending champion Willie “No Love” Floyd proved his resilience and ability to remain calm under fire in his last bout.
The Gold Medal Grappling welterweight quickly found himself defending off his back against an aggressive Perrin Carter. Floyd kept his wits, and when Carter tried for a takedown he left his neck exposed. Floyd slipped in the guillotine choke and cinched it tight, forcing a tap out in the first round. Floyd defends his belt against DJ Hilton. Teammate Steven Stotler will also be fighting on the card Saturday, so expect a good crowd of Woodbridge fight fans to be in attendance cheering on the Gold Medal Grappling team.
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 7:30 p.m. Tickets are going fast at operationoctagon.com.
Operation Octagon 16 Fight Card
Women's Featherweight Title--145 lbs.
Kelsey DeSantis vs Stacy Sneeringer
Light Heavyweight Title--205 lbs.
EJ Mecklenburg vs Jeremy Shifflett
Welterweight Title--170 lbs.
Willie "No Love" Floyd vs DJ Hilton
Bantamweight Title Contender--135 lbs.
Brandon Wheeler vs Alejandro Zea
Lightweight 155 lbs.
Montrez Tinson vs David Vu
Lightweight 155 lbs.
Charles Yetter vs Dominique Buck
Featherweight 145 lbs.
Kevin Chung vs Shawn Joffe
Lightweight 155 lbs.
Roshon Williams vs Orlando Torres
Welterweight 170 lbs.
Francisco Isata vs Robert Streeter
Flyweight 125 lbs.
Andy Tran vs Ronnel White
Catchweight of 150 lbs.
Paul Cavanaugh vs Nate Jaime
Lightweight 155 lbs.
Justin Munson vs Mat Schellenschlager
Welterweight 170 lbs.
Steven Stotler vs Devon Mosely
Featherweight 145 lbs
Thomas Lewellen vs Samsak Saykosy
Welterweight 170 lbs
Nick Mansberger vs Brian Pardini
Featherweight 145 lbs.
Darious Thomas vs Ricardo Fearing
Heavyweight 265lbs
Steve Nowiank vs Jon Attia
Light Heavyweight 205 lbs.
Garrick Evans vs Umit Kemal
(card subject to change)
