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Sunday, November 20, 2011

Local Champ Brings International Jiu-Jitsu Gold Back to Manassas


Northern Virginia can add another name to its roster of local mixed martial arts stars as Mike Pope of Manassas’ Vanguard gym wins gold at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition.

Pope traveled to Long Beach, California to compete in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (IBJJ) No-Gi Championship.

No-Gi refers to competition without the traditional Gi martial arts uniform and the IBJJ competition is one of the largest submission grappling competitions in the world.

Pope came home with the Gold Medal, after winning the middleweight (170 pound) Blue Belt Division. He entered a field of over 40 opponents from all over the world, submitting five and out pointing another by 20 points to win the gold. He also recently won the gold at this year’s No-Gi Pan-Am competition in New York City.

Pope currently holds lightweight (155 pound) belt of Northern Virginia’s Operation Octagon mixed martial arts promotion, and has defended his amateur title three times. He will return to cage next year after taking a little time off to focus on Jiu-Jitsu competitions.

Pope also plans to compete at 145 pounds and even considers dropping down to 135 pounds with the help of his nutritionist George Lockhart. With the addition of the bantam and featherweight divisions to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, interest in those weight classes has greatly increase.

There is no shortage of lighter competition locally.

Mixed Martial Arts in Northern Virginia boasts an incredibly active scene with fighters coming from all over the East Coast to compete in local events like Operation Octagon and Dan Severn's DangerZone. Even the big gun of fight promotions, the UFC held an event at the Patriot Center last year.

Local fighter Kris McCray of Woodbridge fought his way into the finals of the Ultimate Fighter season 11 and Dustin Pague of Centreville is on the current season on Spike TV on Wednesday nights at 10pm.

Outside of competition, Pope's a full time coach for Vanguard Gym in Manassas, and was recently awarded his purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by coach Doug Espisito, a black belt under the world famous Leo Dalla.

Pope can trace his Jiu-Jitsu roots back to legendary Rickson Gracie.

Vanguard’s 7,000 square foot facility specializes in Thai Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, also known as “Gracie Jiu Jitsu”, and Mixed Martial Arts. Vanguard offers classes seven days a week in Thai Boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, CrossFit and a children’s program let by Operation Octagon Bantamweight champ Reed Miller.

Vanguard Gym is located at 9411 Center Point Lane in Manassas, VA, and class schedules and more information about the gym can be found at www.vanguardgym.com.