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Monday, October 24, 2011

DeSantis wins Operation Octagon title before her date with Justin Timberlake.

DeSantis wins Operation Octagon title before her date with Justin Timberlake.

Justin Timberlake's date to the Marine Corps Ball, Corporal Kelsey DeSantis, defeated Stacy Sneeringer to win Women's Middleweight (145 lbs.) Championship Title.

DeSantis quickly took her opponent down and ended the fight by referee stoppage(TKO) at 2 minutes and 51 seconds of the first round. Kelsey recently gained national attention by inviting Justin Timberlake to the Marine Corp Ball on November 12th in DC (click here to see her video invitation to Justin) and he accepted.

Gold Medal Grappling fighter Willie "No Love" Floyd successfully defended his title, and Jeremy "The Brick" Shifflett defeated EJ Mecklenburg to win the vacant light heavyweight title. Shifflet showed excellent grappling against his talented opponent, and submitted the Mecklenburg with a rear naked choke in the first round.

In addition to Floyd defending his title two other Gold Medal Grappling fighters had mixed results in the cage. After Steven Stotler dominated Mosely for the first round and was doing so again in the second, the fight was stopped for an unintentional blow to the back of Mosely’s head and ruled a No Contest when Mosely couldn’t continue. Bryan Robey weathered a rough first round in he match with Somsak Saykosy, but locked in a tight choke at the end of the round. Saykosy was saved by the bell, but didn't have enough time to recover before the second round where Robey sank in a triangle choke on his still woozy opponent.

Lightweight Champ Mike Pope of Manassas' Vanguard gym worked the corner of Kevin Chung, and the excellent ground game coaching of Pope was evident in Chung's performance. Chung sank a tight armbar onto his opponent Shawn Joffe, who must have very flexible elbows as the crowd groaned at the unnatural angle of his arm, but he refused to tap. Unfazed Chung sank the same hold in on Joffe's other arm in the next round with more success earning the tap out.

Operation Octagon announced the next show will be December 17th at a new venue for them in the District.

Operation Octagon 16 Results

Lightweight 155 lbs.

Justin Munson vs Mat Schellenschlager – Schellenschlager UD (Unanimous Decision)

Featherweight 145 lbs.

Darious Thomas vs Ricardo Fearing – Thomas 32 seconds RD 1 Knock Out

Lightweight 155 lbs.

Montrez Tinson vs David Vu – Tinson UD

Welterweight 170 lbs

Nick Mansberger vs Brian Pardini- Pardini UD

Welterweight 170 lbs.

Steven Stotler vs Devon Mosely- No contest

Featherweight 145 lbs.

Kevin Chung vs Shawn Joffe- Chung 1:46 Rd 2 Armbar

Featherweight 145 lbs

Bryan Robey vs Samsak Saykosy- Robey 42 seconds Rd 2 Triangle Choke

Flyweight 125 lbs.

Andy Tran vs Ronnel White- Tran UD

Bantamweight Title Contender--135 lbs.

Brandon Wheeler vs Alejandro Zea – Wheeler 1:36 Rd 3 Topside Triangle Choke

Welterweight Title--170 lbs.

Willie "No Love" Floyd vs DJ Hilton- Floyd 2:22 Rd 1 TKO

Catchweight of 150 lbs.

Paul Cavanaugh vs Nate Jaime- Jaime 1:10 RD 1 RNC (Rear Naked Choke)

Women's Featherweight Title--145 lbs.

Kelsey DeSantis vs Stacy Sneeringer- DeSantis 2:51 Rd 1 TKO (Technical Knock Out)

Lightweight 155 lbs.

Charles Yetter vs Dominique Buck- Yetter 2:13 Rd 1 TKO

Lightweight 155 lbs.

Roshon Williams vs Orlando Torres – Torres UD

Light Heavyweight Title--205 lbs.

EJ Mecklenburg vs Jeremy Shifflett – Shifflett 2:30 Rd 1 RNC

Welterweight 170 lbs.

Francisco Isata vs Robert Streeter- Isata :29 seconds Rd 3 TKO

Heavyweight 265lbs

Steve Nowiank vs Jon Attia- Nowiank SD (Split Decision)

Light Heavyweight 205 lbs.

Garrick Evans vs Umit Kemal – Kemal 2:14 Rd 1 RNC


Saturday, October 22, 2011

New Book Shines Light on UFC's Dark Shadows


New Book Shines Light on UFC's Dark Shadows

Raw Combat: The Underground World of Mixed Martial Arts by Jim Genia comes out Oct. 25 and takes a look at the world of combat sports outside the arena shows of the UFC.


There’s always a flood of fighter bios and Ultimate Fighter Championship (UFC) history books on bookstore shelves, but Jim Genia has staked out a territory of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) history that I haven’t seen before in print.

Focusing on the fight scene in New York and New Jersey and the conditions that have given birth to underground shows and Atlantic City main events, in his new book, Raw Combat:The Underground World of Mixed Martial Arts, Genia delivers a story of fighters and promoters living in the dark shadows of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Raw Combat delivers an insider's peek at the origins of some of the big names in the sport and at some of those names that didn’t make the cut.

While sports promotion company Zuffa, the New York State Assembly and maybe the Culinary Union, battle over the mixed martial arts legalization in one of the country’s biggest markets, tiny, more personal battles are waged in back rooms, gyms and casinos within New York City and its MMA friendly neighbor, New Jersey.

While UFC mythology looks back at Zuffa opening the doors to sanctioned Mixed Martial Arts, the cause initially had been carried in New Jersey before Zuffa took over the UFC with successful results in America’s playground.

For years, Atlantic City has been a Mecca of fight promotions on the East Coast, with MFC, the IFL, Ring of Combat, Bodog and the occasional visit by the big dog of fight promotions.

With the success of the UFC came money and interest fueled by the dreams of making it big on the MMA band wagon, while others just wanted a venue to prove their skills and maybe just to hurt someone.

Jim Genia exposes the strange underbelly of fighters bouncing between unsanctioned underground bouts in New York City to sanctioned professional bouts in Atlantic City and beyond. Fighters participating in unsanctioned matches on bloody mats for a handful of spectators hoping to prove something to themselves and learn something that will elevate them to the next level of the game. Promoter’s slapping together fight cards from a handful of mismatched hungry killers waiting for their chance to prove their mettle. Fighters, family and friends propping up hopes as dreams crumble in a sport where half the participants leave the cage losers.

Jim captures something I’ve tried to convey to my readers for going on seven years—the thrill of a live event, and the intimacy of a local show. I’ve been to big shows and where they put on a spectacular production. UFC events explode and the crowd cheers, but it’s a spectacle—like seeing fireworks or going to a NFL football game. Local shows are different, intimate and personal. Sometimes closer to a high school wrestling meet than a spectator sport. Fighters and camps make up the crowd around you.

A fighter’s family, coach and friends scream out encouragement completely invested in the duel before them. Camps face off and rivalries continue from event to event. Fighters' supporters outside the cage line up to walk in with their warrior’s, just like the legendary Gracie train at the first UFC. After the matches, fighters embrace, talk about improvement, and invite each other to cross train.

It’s often hard to cheer a favorite, knowing both participants and knowing someone’s going home defeated. Raw Combat chronicles several fighters and promoters that most of MMA fandom will never see on cable, but that’s where stars come from.

They start on the bottom of the local card and work their way up to local main events. They learn their craft in stifling hot gyms and cold backrooms. For every Eddie Alvarez or Frankie Edgar who fought their way to primetime glory, there’s hundreds who never make it out of the underground or the undercard.

Take a peak. Afterall, Jim Genia has cracked the door for you to look inside the core of MMA without the guise of glitz and glam. You might shudder and unconsciously count your teeth or, you may find yourself sitting at the local show in your town, cheering on a guy whose bloody hand you can shake as he leaves the event, and someday you can cheer as he makes his Octagon debut.

Citadel Publication publishes Raw Combat: The Underground World of Mixed Martial Arts by Jim Genia.

About the author: James Kirkland has been covering local and national mixed martial are since 2005 for BloodyKnux.com mixed martial arts fan forum and for the Northern Virginia Patch sites.

Three Title Fights Saturday at Operation Octagon 16

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)

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Danger Zone "Bring It" Review and Results


Danger Zone's second event in Manassas Park delivers 12 action packed bouts

UFC Legend Dan Severn brought another action packed event to Manassas Park, and the Manassas Park Community center was packed with fight fans enjoying the show. Fighters from Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania tested each other in the cage and right from the opening bell the event did not disappoint.



Kelly Quinn quickly took the back of Pat Morris in the night's first bout, and after a minute of ground and pound action he sank in the rear naked choke to get the submission. As quick as the first bout went the second was a "don't blink" affair. Josh Trainor sank in a RNC of his own in just 18 seconds. The third tilt was a little less lopsided with Wayne Cephas putting in a competitive first round, but getting pounded out in the second by Darryn Messersmith.


Hooter girls of Manassas

The big men took to the cage and Andrew Murray proved that good cardio tops great skills as fight go to deep water. Eric Hughson showed he had better wrestling right from the start, but Murray relentlessly fought back to his feed and defended takedowns and Hughson started to slow his pace. Murray soon took control and won a unanimous decision.

Bartlett pounds Buchman

Entertaining fight continued with impressive performances by Evolve MMA's Tacuma Robinson, Justin "Tangerine" Bartlett, and Billy "The Bull" Miller. The main event didn't last long, as Dezmond Chaviera looked to want to stand and bang, but couldn't stop the takedowns of Gusevio Keisler. Keisler started off with top control and some brutal ground and pound, and then wrapped it up in the first round with a rear naked choke.

Keisler finishes Chaviera by RNC

The evening moved quickly, and aside from a few of the fights being one-sided blow outs, the event delivered plenty of action. Dan Severn posed with fans and signed autographs and TUF alumni Zach Davis chatted with fans in between coaching his Evolve MMA teammates.


TUF Season 13 Alumni Zach Davis

Quick Results

The Danger Zone presents, "BRING IT" 10/15 Results

1 Kelly Quinn defeats Pat Morris

Rd 1 1:10 Sub Rear Naked Choke (RNC)

2. Josh Trainor defeats Albert Benjamin

Rd 1 0.18 Sub RNC

3. Darryn Messersmith defeats Wayne Cephas

Rd 2 1:13 Technical Knock Out

4. Andrew "The Tank" Murray defeats Eric "Country Boy" Hughson

Unanimous Decision

5. Kevin Marks defeats Joe Lahair

Grappling Match

RD1 MARKS Triangle Choke

RD 2 MARKS RNC

6. Tacuma Robinson defeats Francisco Armodo Montoya

Rd 1 1:08 TKO

7. Sean Bennett defeats Nick Weaver

Unanimous Decision

8. Justin "Tangerine" Bartlett defeats Steve Buchman

Rd 2 1:02 TKO

9. Greg Lyman defeats Ryan Grigsby

Rd 1 0:46 TKO

10. Billy "THE BULL" Miller defeats Matt Dudding

Rd 1 1:05 Sub RNC

11. Joe "The Grim" Slaughter defeats Travis Davidson

Rd 1 1:31 Sub Guillotine

12. Gustevio Keisler defeats Dezmond Chaviera

Rd 1 1:37 Sub RNC



Northern Virginia fans wanting more MMA won't have to wait long as next weekend Operation Octagon returns to Dulles SporstPlex in Sterling for another night of fights.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Mixed Martial Arts Returns to Manassas Park Community Center

Mixed Martial Arts returns to Manassas Park this Saturday for another one of UFC legend Dan Severn’s Danger Zone events. Thirty-two fighters will test their skills at the Manassas Park Community Center in an all-amateur event.

The first Mixed Martial Arts event in Manassas Park brought more than a dozen exciting fights to the Cage and an evening filled with knockouts and submissions. With 16 bouts planned for this Saturday at the city's community center, fans will be sure to see lots of action, plus, UFC Hall of Fame fighter Dan Severn.

Ryan Grisby of Manassas will be making his amateur fight debut against Phillip Riggs. Grisby trains with Ron Hill, an Operation Octagon veteran, at Rage Fight Club. “This will be a good opportunity to get in there and get some experience,” Grisby said.

Emit MMA of Fredericksburg will field a team of fighters for the event, two of whom will have their first amateur matches at Danger Zone. “The team is ready for their fights, and have been training hard," Tony Horn, the coach for the team, said.

Teammate Joe Slaughter who is a veteran of Barbarian Fight Club events will be there hoping to improve his 6-2 record.

The event weigh-ins are 7-9 p.m. at Hooters in Manassas on Friday.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.. Tickets range from $25 to $75 and are available at instantseats.com or, at the door at the Manassas Park Community Center at 99 Adams St. Below is the fight card for Saturday's event:


The Danger Zone presents, "BRING IT" Fight Card

1 Justin Sills 0-1 140 Catch Vs. Pat Morris (0-0)

2. Josh Trainor (1-1) 135 Vs. Albert Benjamin (0-3)

3.Tacuma Robinson (1-1) 130 Catch Vs. Francisco Armodo Montoya (0-1)

4 Ahria Sorbi (1-0) 145 Vs.. Tyson Lee 1-2

5. Eric "Country Boy" Hughson (0-0) 205 Vs. Andrew "The Tank" Murray (1-1)

6.Charles Kessinger 4-6 135 Vs. Open

7. Wayne Cephas (0-0) 170 VS. Darryn Messersmith 1-1

8.Steve Buchman (0-0) 145 Vs. Justin "Tangerine" Bartlett (0-0)

9. Phillip Riggs 0-0 175 Catch Vs. Ryan Grisby 0-0

10. Anthony "Bang-Bang" McClelland 3-2-0 155 VS. Billy "THE BULL" Miller (3-1)

11. Sean Bennett (2-1) vs Nick Weaver 1-1

12. Dezmond Chaviera 2-1 VS 145 2-1 Gustevio Keisler

13. Joe "Giddy Up" Jackson 1-1 260 vs. Open

14.Zach Gobel (6-4) 185 Joe "The Grim" Slaughter 6-2

15.Greg Lyman 0-1 180 Catch Vs. Mark McCaine 0-0

16. Kevin Marks Grappling Match vs Joe Lahair

(Card subject to change)

It’s a busy fall for combat sports enthusiasts, as Operation Octagon returns to Dulles Sportsplex in Sterling on Oct. 22. Dan Severn will host a wrestling clinic at Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas in November.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

UFC Fight Night Live 6 Washington DC 10/1


The Nation's capital had to make a little room Saturday night for at least one more top dog. Dana White brought the UFC to Verizon Center, and Washingtonians turned out in droves for the show. While they didn't sell out the Verizon Center they did set the record for the highest UFC Live event on Versus with a reported attendance of 9,380. Dana was right out in front, walking the edge of the Octagon, posing for pictures with happy fans. Uriah Faber, Mark Munoz and Jon Jones were also cage-side, and glad handing the crowd.

Inside the cage folks weren't quite as friendly, but there was no shortage of physical contact.

Local warrior, Mike "The Hulk" Easton made his Octagon debut after almost two years since his last fight. Mike caught the attention of the world in a highly contested decision victory over Chase Beebe at UWC 7 in Fairfax Virginia. There was nothing to contest this time as Mike ended his fight with a TKO towards the end of the second round.

Several of the refs call were protested by the crowd during the evening. Mario Yamasaki's brother Fernando returned to the Octagon to referee, but earned the crowd's ire when he stopped the T J Grant / Shane Roller match when Roller was locked into an armbar. Roller was probably behind on the cards, but claimed he never tapped. The crowd also felt the stoppage was premature booing Fernando even when he returned to referee another match later in the night.

More experienced referee Mario Yamasaki also had some questionable calls, letting Rafaello Oliveira take a prolonged beating by Yves Edwards when most of the crowd felt he was not defending himself, and then stopping the Johnson/Brenneman fight after Johnson landed a solid kick to Charlie's face, but the tough Spaniard sat right up to protest that he wasn't out of the fight yet. He probably should have thanked Mario for saving him another thumping as Johnson was on his way to a solid 10-8 round. In all three cases, there isn't much doubt that the calls impacted the outcome of the fights, but the crowd was quick to criticize.

One thing the crowd had no criticism for was the rematch between Matt Wiman and Mac Danzig. It was a tough call who to root for personally. I've met Matt several times in Atlantic City where he and his corner-man Beau "One Man Army" Taylor were always quick to say hi and shake hands. but Mac came out to Astro Zombies by the Misfits and my allegiance to all things "Glenn" Danzig made it tough to choose sides. Luckily I didn't have to. They both fought their hearts out and the crowd roared in approval. Somebody had to lose, and when Wiman took the decision the crowd was mixed with cheers and boos, but when Dana handed out the bonuses, they both came out winners with well deserved 65 grand extra in each of their pockets. Their FOTN victory was a close thing though as the main event of the evening came close to stealing the show.

The Champ Dominic Cruz and the challenger Demetrious Johnson went to war, and while Cruz controlled the fight with takedowns and wrestling, Johnson never looked defeated. Johnson came out as explosive and energetic in round five as he did in round one and Cruz had to wonder if anything could stop this tiny dynamo. Known for a ridiculously fast pace himself, Cruz looked like the more weary fighter early in the showdown, but he never let the hectic pace stop him from implementing his game plan. My sympathy goes out to whoever they put in the cage at 125 pounds with that tiny tiger.

As with their last visit to Fairfax Virginia, the UFC did what they do best and the crowd in attendance left satisfied. It was great to see local mainstays like Fernando Yamasaki refereeing and Doctor Greg Banks at the side of the Octagon. Hopefully the UFC will return soon, as fight fans in DC are always hungry for more MMA.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Joe Rogan Live in DC 9/30



Tomorrow night the UFC comes to the DC area for the second time, though a little less convenient that their visit to the Patriot Center. As is common on the night before the fights, UFC commentator and Fear Factor host, Joe Rogan performed his stand up act. Fans packed the theater, and I ran into UFC vet Aaron Riley on the way in. Poor Aaron's jaw is wired shut after his loss to Tony Ferguson a week ago. I complemented his toughness, finishing the round with a broken jaw. I hope it doesn't hurt when he laughs, because if it does, he had a rough night.

Joe Rogan's pal, Ari Shaffir warmed up the crowd and prepared you for a pretty raw set with some diarrhea and anal sex jokes. (They were more tasteful than that sounds.)


Still, Joe's comedy is not for the easily offended, but he's the host of Fear Factor and the UFC, not Top Chef and the Westminster Kennel Club. If imagining Joe being raped by Brock Lesnar and blowing some guy for a ride in a time machine is too rude for your delicate demeanor I'd avoid Joe's stand-up.

Rogan started the show in top form, delivering a slew of new bits that had the crowd in stitches. After about an hour he started discussing topics suggested by the crowd. This was hit or miss, working great when he went on about Dick Cheney, Sarah Palin, or Nancy Grace, but falling flat when someone suggested something more obscure. He finished up with the classic Noah's ark bit, and then headed out front to meet and greet anyone who wanted to hang around for a chat. Joe delivered a solid performance, and if you think you might need some chuckles before your night of bloodsport, be sure to check him out when the UFC comes to your town.