Light Out Combat comes to Manassas VA 6/22

Northern Virginia's exciting mixed martial arts (MMA) scene continues to deliver knock outs during the Lights Out Combat Summer Mayhem 2013 at the Sports Network & Fitness in Manassas on Saturday.  With a scheduled 17 fights and four title bouts, the event promises to deliver a night of action.  Doors open at 6 p.m. at Sports Network & Fitness at 8320 Quarry Rd.

With Northern Virginia’s legacy of local fighters moving on the the national stage, fight fans won’t want to miss these bouts featuring some of the area’s most exciting rising amateur fighters. In the main event for the LOC Fights 155 pound title, Rob Watley( 4-1), will defend his belt against vs Cisco Isetta (4-0) fighting out of Pure Performance Martial Arts Center in Rockville, MD.
Watley an instructor at Royal Martial Arts in Maryland successfully defended his belt last April against Jeffrey Melvin.  The co-main event for 185 pound title will pit Kristopher Bishop(Freedom MMA) 3-1 vs Daniel Cornett 2-1(Kaizen MMA).
 
The Lights Out Combat promotion has been around for seven years and have held shows in Winchester, Warrenton, Manassas and Ashbury.  They pride themselves in having some of the best amateur fighters in the area.

With Bellator and UFC veterans like Kris McCray, Brian Van Hoven, Dustin Pague and recent Ultimate Fighter winner Colton Smith, all starting in our local mixed martial arts scene, fans won’t want to miss a chance to meet the next rising star of MMA from Northern Virginia.

OO Fights veteran Nate Jaime begins a violent assault on Jason Kirby who stepped up and took the challenge on just five days notice.

Event Results- 
Jeff Melvin defeated Trevor Ragin by decision in a Muay Thia bout. 

Jarreay Mobley defeated Pat Weaver in a submission grappling contest when Weaver's shoulder was injured.

Nathan Ferguson defeated Terrance Clark by unanimous decision.

 Dave Reeves defeated Bobby Hess by submission in the first round.

Jayme Brice versus Ricky Richmond was declared a no contest when the ref stopped the fight to have the doctor check Richmond's injuries.   The doctor declared Richmond unable to continue due to cuts and swollen eyes sustained from blows by his opponent.  Under amateur boxing rules since this happened in the first round the fight was declared a no-contest robbing Brice of what would have been a win by referee stoppage under MMA rules.

Nate Jaime won the 135lb title defeating Jason Kirby by tko in the second round.

Mike Desantos defeated Joshua Gibbons by knock out in the first round.

Charles Fox defeated Eric Wagner by knock out in the first round.

Robert Bane defeated Travis Guthridge by submission in the second round.

Kris Bishop won the 185lb title by split decision over Daniel Cornett.

Robert Watley defended his 155lb title against Cisco Isata after Isata couldn't continue after an unintentional low blow.

Coach Johnny Curtis congratulates both Bishop and Cornett after a great, and bloody battle for the 185 pound title.

DangerZone: Chaos in the Cage 6/15 Prince William Fairgrounds Manasass

Mike Handleman gets a quick stoppage in his match versus John Vanderpool at DZ: Chaos in the Cage.

Mixed Martial Arts returned to Manassas last Saturday with Danger Zone: Chaos in the Cage at Prince William Fairgrounds.   Local fighters competed in eight MMA bouts and 2 submission grappling matches. 

Event Results

Winners in Bold

MMA Bout, 140 lbs.

John Sofield vs Robert Cantos

Submission, Rear Naked Choke

Round 2, 1:53

MMA Bout, 145 lbs.

Kevin Shipley vs Brian Rich

Opponent Disqualified for illegal knee to grounded fighter

Round 2, 0:36

MMA Bout, 155 lbs.

Chris Stout vs Tim O’Maley

Unanimous Decision

MMA Bout, 150 lbs.

Jon Peters vs John MacNaughton

Unanimous Decision

Rick McCoy referees one of two submission grappling matches at the event.

Submission Grappling Bout

Jimmy Guercio vs Roque Zapata at 150lbs was declared a draw since no submission was achieved in allotted time

MMA Bout, 170 lbs.

Mike Handleman vs John Vanderpool

TKO, Referee Stoppage

Round 1, 1:34

 

Submission Grappling Bout

John Sofield won vs David Hagen at 140lbs by guillotine in round 2, 0:27

MMA Bout, 185 lbs.

Anthony Shives vs Jon Chevalier

Knock Out

Round 1, 0:06

MMA Bout, 145 lbs.

Matt Schellenschlager vs Jack Bendenbaugh

Unanimous Decision

MMA Bout, 135 lbs.

Josh Trainor vs Ginseng Point DuJour

Unanimous Decision

Cage Fighter visits Cougar Wrestling Club in Manassas Park

All American wrestler and mixed martial artist Neil Johnson coaches Manassas Park children in the Cougar Wrestling Club.

 The Cougar Wrestling Club of Manassas Park received a visit from a special guest Tuesday when all American wrestler and professional mixed martial artist Neil Johnson came by to coach the kids and talk about wrestling as a base for mixed martial arts (MMA).

Read the full story at -

 http://manassaspark.patch.com/articles/cougar-wrestling-club-get-visit-from-a-cage-fighter

OOFights 22 Manassas Park VA 12-1-12

Great night of fights and a fantastic event in Manassas Park, VA.  12 bouts delivered non stop action.

Operation Octagon brought their A game as always and the Manassas Park Community Center was buzzing with excitement. The first five matches flew by with exciting first round finishes, but the excitement didn't stop there. In the sixth bout Ardit Hysa used his wrestling to control most of the bout, but he never stalled the action and Matt Dotson never quit trying to return fire.

In the 8th bout, Virginia state champion wrestler Brett Jenkins dominated the first two rounds, but slowed down in the third and got careless. Matt Ferguson having weathered almost six minutes of offense was able to lock in the choke and the win at the beginning of the third round. Disciple MMA's rising star, Anthony Cordero landed a devastating KO of Daniel Moreno early in the first round, followed by a high kick knock out from Scott Noble to Francis Grant in the first round of the next bout.

In the first of two championship matches Josh Aguero weathered an opening flurry from Michael Serrano before getthing the match to the mat and winning by first round rear naked choke. In the main event for the Middleweight Title Shurron Thompson looked devastating defeating Eric Kronstadt by first round TKO. Kronstadt was dropped twice in the round, but kept his composure and fended off Thompson until he could get back to his feet. The third time Thompson swarmed the dazed challeger and the ref stepped in to stop the fight.

Here's the results from the event.
Results-
1. Brian Karanikas defeats Joshua Whitlow by first round guillotine choke
2. Matt Schellenschlager defeats Shawn Joffe by first round choke
3. Patrick Parker defeats Keith Henhawk by first round choke
4. Anthony Giacchina defeats Alex Kotacka by first round arm triangle
5. Broderick Rene defeats Carlos Davila by first round guillotine choke
6. Ardit Hysa defeats Matt Dotson by unanimous decision.
7. Rob Watley defeats Ravon Dixon by unanimous decision
8. Matthew Ferguson defeats Brett Jenkins by third round guillotine.
9. Anthony Cordero defeats Daniel Moreno by first round KO.
10. Scott Noble defeats Francis Grant by first round KO
Bantamweight Title
11. Josh Aguero defeats Michael Serrano by first round rear naked choke.
Middleweight Title
12. Shurron Thompson defeats Eric Kronstadt by first round TKO.

More pics up at Bloodyknux.com click here!

OO Fights Comes to Manassas Park

Northern Virginia’s longest running mixed martial arts fight promotion brings their cage to Manassas Park Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 1.

Twenty amateur bouts are scheduled including two title fights. OO Fights (formerly Operation Octagon) is the longest running and most successful Northern Virginia fight promotion holding both amateur and professional fights in the Washington area.  The event in Manassas Park will be their 22nd event to a sold-out crowd.
Packed with competitive gyms and dojos, Northern Virginia’s mixed martial arts scene stands out on the East Coast, having produced “The Ultimate Fighter” finalist Kris McCray from Gold Medal Grappling in Woodbridge and former contestant Dustin Pague of Disciple MMA in Centreville. The show currently has fighter Colton Smith, of Vanguard Gym in Manassas, competing in the semi-finals on this season of the show on TV’s FX Network.
Should Colton, a former Operation Octagon champ, win his next match he’ll be headed to The Ultimate Fighter season finale on Dec. 15 in Las Vegas to compete for a six figure UFC contract and a custom Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Vanguard is also home to OO Fights former lightweight amateur champ, Mike Pope, who in 2011 won gold medals in two international Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions. Mike made his professional debut with a win over Jonathan Hughes at Operation Octagon 20 last July.
Saturday’s event has a stacked card with the main event pitting undefeated middleweight champ Shurron Thompson against contender Eric Kronstadt. Kronstadt’s three fight win streak includes impressive stoppages in all his fights. Josh Aguero will face Michael Serrano for the bantamweight title and Virginia State champion wrestler Brett Jenkins will face Matt Ferguson from LA Boxing in Sterling in a heavy weight fight.
This event will benefit underprivileged families in the local area with a toy and food drive.
Bring a toy or canned food and receive a special gift from OO Fights, Saturday December 1st at the Manassas Park Community Center & Sports Complex, 99 Adams St, Manassas Park, VA. Doors open at 6 p.m. and fight will begin at 7 p.m.
OO shows began in 2008 to sell-out crowds at Prince William County Fairgrounds in Manassas. Since then, they have continued fill seats shows in Sterling and the District. In 2009, OO Fights acquired the area’s other big promotion, Valhalla Fights, merging the best pools of Northern Virginia fighters.

Visit oofights.com for ticket information.

OO XXI 10/13 Quick Results

Another great night of fights from OO Fights.  Review and pics to come tomorrow, but here's the results for now.
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OO XXI 10/13 Sterling Virginia  Results                                                                      

Amatuer Fights-

Keith Flowers vs Zenon Herrera

Herrera Rd 1 Submission RNC

Abdul-Malik Ahmad vs Alex Kotacka                     

Rd 1 KO

Jaime Salazar vs Abby Velasquez

Velasquez RD 2 TKO

Bidhan Thakur vs Robert Bane                                   

Bane Rd 2 TKO

Daniel Gray vs  Marco Mendoza

Gray UD

Daniel Cornett vs Frederick Walker                 

Cornett Rd 2 RNC

Sterling Briscoe vs Chad Wiggingiton

Briscoe UD

Kirstin Murphy vs Katie McClay                 

Murphy Rd 2 TKO

Vince Holland  vs Umit Kemal Yilmaz

Holland SD

Christian Banghart  vs Shawn Carter                 

Banghart Rd 1 RNC

Steve Adame vs Pierre Amon

Adame UD

Eric Kronstadt vs Nick Mansburger                 

Kronstadt Rd 2 Triangle choke

Tony Dabbodanza vs Jonathan Vinyard 145 Title Fight

Dabbodanza Rd 2 TKO

Francisco Isata vs Jonathan Escalona  155 Title Fight               

Escalona Rd 3 RNC

Pro Bouts-
Tony Horn vs  Craig “The Pittbull” Pittman                 

Pittman UD

Sean Croushorn vs Gary Sheppard

Sheppard Rd 1 RNC

Charles Kessinger vs Bryan Robey

Kessinger Rd 1 TKO

Elder Ramos vs Jeremy Boardwine                 

Ramos Rd 1 Heel Hook in 43 seconds!

Jon Delbrugge vs Steven Wampler

Delbrugge Rd 1 RNC

Devon Mosley vs Willie Floyd

Mosley  SD

Neil Johnson vs Terrell Hobbs

Hobbs RD 1 Submission

OO Fights returns to Nothern Virginia

Northern Virginia’s premiere mixed martial art promotion OO Fights (formerly Operation Octagon) returns to Dulles Sportsplex, Saturday October 13^th.  Local fighters from over a dozen gyms and dojos will compete in over twenty amateur and professional fights beginning with the undercard at 4pm.   
Former Operation Octagon fighters from the previous twenty events have gone on to the national stage such as UFC fighter Chris McCray, Bellator fighters Neil Johnson and Brian Van Hoven and current season Ultimate Fighter contestant, Colton Smith.  Fans will see national Mixed Martial Arts stars cornering and coaching up and coming talent as the next generation of talented fighters compete to make their mark in one of the most competitive fight scenes in the country.
Many former Operation Octagon amateur fighters and champs and will be competing in professional bouts on the main card.  Elder Ramos from Manassas’s Vanguard Gym will face Jeremy Boardwine in a professional welterweight match.  Eric Villanueve, Marcos Mendoza, Christian Banghart, and Vince Holland of Vanguard Gym will also be on Saturday’s card.
Neil Johnson, all American wrestler for George Mason University and wrestling coach for Disciple MMA in Sterling will face Terrell Hobbs from Richmond’s MMA Institute in a pro featherweight match.

Coach Tony Horn of EMIT MMA in Fredericksburg will face former WCW star turned Mixed Martial Artist Craig “The Pitbull” Pittman in a heavyweight bout that should deliver some fireworks.
Steve Adame of Woodbridge’s Gold Medal Grappling with face Pierre Amon in a welterweight amateur challenge.  Sean Kroushorn and Nick Mansburger from Premier Fight Center in Woodbridge also have fights on the card.  Two amateur titles will be on the line Saturday night with Francisco Isata and Jonathan Escalona facing off for the lightweight title and Chris Piriz and Tony Dabbondanza fighting for the Featherweight title.
The DVD of July’s OO XX event will be available Saturday night, and the Brain Van Hoven versus Jeff Peterson fight is worth the price alone.
Tickets for OO Fights XXI on October 13, 2012 at the Dulles Sportsplex, 21610 Atlantic Blvd in Sterling, Virginia are still available.  For the complete card and more information visit http://oofights.com, and return to bloodydcmma.com for event highlights and results.

DangerZone All Out War Manassas VA 9/15/2012

Dan Severn's Danger Zone promotion returned to Virginia Saturday night with "All Out War" at the Prince William Fairgrounds in Manassas.  Ten exciting bouts went by very quickly as only the final match went to the score cards.  Local Virginia fighters faced off with opponents from Maryland, New Jersey, New York, DC and as far away as Michigan. 

The evening opened with a quick submission by Geronimo Perry who sank in a guillotine choke in just a little over a minute on his opponent Steven Witt.    Justin Hughes continued his unbeaten streak getting a first round submission on Stephen Mozingo.   Noble Ryan and Kevin Tran had one of the more exciting bouts of the night trading blow into the second round.  Both fighters looked the worse for wear when Ryan trapped Tran against the cage and rained down blows forcing the stoppage.

Robert Payseno and his pals from Dan Severn's MMA in Michigan had a worthwhile trip.  Payseno dominated his opponent Ryan Grisby in round one, but Grisby toughed it out.  At he beginning of the second round Payseno looked tired while Grisby looked fresh.  Grisby looked to be taking control, when Payseno found his second wind, getting a takedown in the second round and singing in a choke to finish the bout.

The event finished with the most competitive match of the night.  Doug White from Chantilly's Silverback Academy was out-wrestled in the first two rounds by his opponent Kenneth Jackson.  While the rounds were very close, Jackson spent the majority of the rounds on top.  The third round was much more one-sided with White dominating a tired Jackson from bell to bell.  White failed to finish, and even though the fight was certainly going his way he's lost the first two round and it cost him the match.  Jackson was declared the winner by unanimous decision and the night ended with Danger Zone promising to return in November.

For event results and pics visit www.BloodyKnux.com.

OO XX Quick Results

OO Fights XX results-
(bouts in reverse order)

Michael Lawrence Vs. Jon Delbrugge 155 lb title
Jon Delbrugge wins by rear naked choke rd 1

Chris Vs. Nate Jaime 145 featherweight title
Chris Piriz wins by unanimous decision


Roberto Ford Vs. Andy Tran Flyweight 135 title
Andy Tran wins by unanimous decision

Ginseng DuJour Vs Brandon Wheeler Bantam Interim Title
Brandon Wheeler wins by split decision

Jonathan Hughes  Vs. Mike Pope
Mike Pope wins by rear naked choke in rd 2

Jason Hilliker vs Matt Kersse
Matt Kersse wins by submission rd 1

Phillip Estes vs Willie Floyd
Willie Floyd wins by tko in round one in his pro debut

Paul Holt rd submission to strikes vs Josh Brown
Paul Holt wins in rd 1 submission to strikes

Ryan Farhat vs Cory Alexander wins by unanimous decision
Cory Alexander wins by unanimous decision

Jeff Peterson vs Brian Van Hoven
Brian Van Hoven wins Majority Decision


Dale Arnold vs Samir Farid
Samir Farid unanimous Decision

Anthony Cordero vs Rob Statton
Anthony Cordero wins by KO in rd 2

Francisco Isata vs Matt Schellenschlager
Francisco Isata wins rd 2 tko

Paul Lin vs Chuck Yetter win by unanimous decision
Chuck Yetter win by unanimous decision

Jonathan Vinyard vs Rome Dingle
Jonathan Vinyard wins rd1 rear naked choke

Eric Kronstadt vs Kenny Wilson
Eric Kronstadt wins rd 1 KO

Dusty Thursby vs Greg Lyman
Dusty Thursby wins rd 1 by KO

Sean Carow vs Mike Wilson
Sean Carow wins rd 2 by armbar

Dashawn Boatwright vs Brian Hamill
Dashawn Boatwright wins rd 1 ref stoppage (Failure to respond)

Jared Ferguson  vs Tony Dabbondanza
Tony Dabbondanza wins rd 2 TKO

John Attia vs Jon Tuxford
Jon Tuxford wins rd 2 TKO

Trey Ellis vs Esrom Montesino
Esrom Montesino win rd 1 Americana

Matt Semeisberger vs JP Saint Louis
JP Saint Louis wins in rd 2 by guillotine

Trevor Malace vs Jon Faitz
Jon Faitz wins rd 1 TKO

Aaron Bland wins  rd 2 TKO vs Jeremy Gray

Bryan Walsh vs Brian Ranck

Brian Ranck wins by guillotine choke after dropping Walsh with strikes rd1

Phil Arnold vs Broderick Rene

Phil Arnold wins rd 2 choke

Eric Wilson vs Derrick Threatt

Derrick Threatt wins by unanimous decision

Anthony Deconti  vs Trevor Thompson

 Anthony Deconti  wins by unanimous decision

Andre Hadley vs Mark Kunick

 Mark Kunick Wins Rd 1 guillotine

Kendall White vs Bowdrie Rene

 Kendall White wins rd  2 guillotine

Stephen Mozingo vs Kwame Yaidon 

 Kwame Yaidon wins rd 1 TKO

pics and commentary up at Bloodyknux.com

Local Champion Mike Pope Makes the Move to Professional Fighter

Decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and amateur Mixed Martial Arts champion makes the move to professional fighter at OO Fights this Saturday at Dulles Sportsplex.

OO (formerly Operation Octagon) Fights returns to Dulles SportsPlex with a Pro-Am event this Saturday, and Mike Pope of Manassas’ Vanguard gym will make his professional debut against Jonathan Hughes of Disciple MMA in Centreville. 

Mike won the Operation Octagon Amateur Lightweight belt in March of 2011 and has been undefeated in amateur Mixed Martial Arts since November 2009.   In 2011 Pope came home with a Gold Medals from the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships, in California, and Pan-Am competition in New York.

Mike grew up in Bradenton Florida, and moved to Virginia at 14 where he attended Liberty High in Bealeton Virginia.

“I did some wrestling in High School and some competition weight lifting and a buddy of mine Mikey and I watched a UFC.  He told me he was going to someday fight in the UFC.  A couple years later he called me and said he’d found a place, Vanguard Gym and got a two-week trial.  He didn’t stay and I did, and it’s been about 6 years now.  I had my first fight in 2008 and I went eight and one as an amateur.”

“Everybody in my family is really supportive, but training pulls me away from my daughter more than I like.  She loves watching me train, and coming to the gym.   A lot of what I do is for her.  I want her to see know that life gives tough circumstances and you can’t give up on your goals and dreams.   My mom still to this day is scared for my life each time I step in the cage.”

Pope’s training has taken him across the country to some of the most prestigious gyms in the world.  Recently he traveled to the East Coast to train at King’s MMA with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsi legend Joao Assis.  “Joao really inspired my Jiu-Jitsu game.”

While in California, Pope didn’t just focus on his ground game, but also his striking training at Freddy Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood where Manny Pacquiao holds his training camps.  Closer to home he’s getting tips UFC veteran and decorated wrestler, Kamal Shalarus, who represented Great Britain in Olympic Qualifiers.  “Kamal is the most explosive wrestler I’ve ever come across.  He’s got an under-rated ground game, he’s very controlling from the top.”

On why he’s making the move to professional now at 145 pounds, Mike says, “I was suppose to fight Naite Jaime twice as an amateur for the 145 title and the first time I injured my knee and the second time he got hurt.  I found out the day before weigh-ins.  I was sick of doing this for free and a lot of the guys I met in California were telling me to go pro.  I talked it over with Doug and got the green light to do it.” 

“I started out competing at 145, and I was doing the cut completely wrong, starving myself and running.  I looked horrible.    I moved up to 155 and felt much better and was doing great.  Then I did a nutrition seminar with George Lockhart who manages cuts for a lot of UFC fighters.  He opened my eyes to a new way to cutting weight the healthy way.  From there I got a personal nutritionist at Max Muscle in Manassas, Shelby McDaniel (www.shelbykfitness.com).“

About his opponent John Hughes of Disciple MMA in Dulles, “Someone claimed I called him a stepping stone.  I never said that.  I don’t pick my opponents, I just take whomever Jeff puts in front of me.  He’s the next guy in front of my like I’m the next guy in front of him.  I want to test my skills against him because he happens to be one of the top guys at 155 in the area right now.  He’s won his past four fights in very impressive fashion.  I want to be known for fighting top guys not padding my record with bums.  You don’t learn anything by fighting guys you know you can beat.  I don’t want the first guy I don’t know if I can beat to be in the UFC.  I approach every fight like I’m facing Frankie Edgar for the UFC title.”

Outside of competition, Pope's a full time trainer for Vanguard Gym in Manassas teaching Cross Fit, Thai Boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  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 led 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.

OO XX “Double O Double Header” with over 30 fights on the card featuring fighters from all over the DC area including Operation Octagon champs, Willie Floyd, Brian Van Hoven and Samir Farid from Woodbridge’s Gold Medal Grappling and Operation Octagon Heavy Weight Champion Josh “the Cobra” Brown.  Doors open at 3pm with over 30 amateur and professional fights on the card at Dulles Sportsplex, 21610 Atlantic Blvd, Sterling VA.  Tickets information available athttp://oofights.com/tickets.

UFC returns to Northern Virginia for "The Korean Zombie vs Dustin Poirier"

The world’s premiere mixed martial arts promotion, The Ultimate Fighting Championship, returned Tuesday to the Patriot Center for the first time since 2010 with a fantastic night of fights.

UFC on Fuel 3: “Korean Zombie vs. Dustin Poirier” matched 24 fighters in 12 bouts airing on Facebook and Fuel TV and nearly five thousand excited fans watched live at the Patriot Center in Fairfax.

The UFC brought fighters from around the world to compete, but fans cheered loudest for local heroes. Ultimate Fighter winner, Amir Sadollah, from Richmond, pulled off a razor thin win over Jorge Lopez.  Lopez wrestled Sadollah against the cage for much of the fight, but Sadollah stifled Lopez’s offense and took over the match in the third round to secure a split decision victory.

Falls Church’s Kamal Shalarus did not fare as well.  Stunned early in the first round by a high kick, a dazed Shalarus failed to defend a rear-naked choke from Brazilian fighter Rafeal dos Anjos, tapping just 40 seconds into the opening round.

Donald “The Cowboy” Cerrone, formerly sponsored by Manassas’s own Hatfield Gunsmithing, showed his superior technique by dominating heavy-handed Jeremy Stephens for three rounds to get a unanimous decision.

In the main event South Korean fighter Chan Sung Jung, more often referred to as “The Korean Zombie” entered the arena to the cheers of local Korean fans sporting South Korean flags.  For three rounds he and Dustin Poirier exchanged blows and submission attempts with Jung maintaining a slight edge.  In the fourth round Jung landed several strikes dazing Poirier who shot for a takedown, but ended up trapped in a submission.  Jung cinched up a choke, but Poirier refused to tap and out went unconscious.  Referee Dan Miragliotta quickly stopped the fight at 1:07 of the fourth round, giving Chan Sung Jung the submission victory.   According to UFC president Dana White,  Jung also  earned a featherweight title shot and he received the submission of the night bonus of 40 thousand dollars.  Both Jung and his opponent, Dustin Poirier, earned another 40 thousand for the fight of the night bonus.  Tom Lawlor won the 40 thousand dollar knock out of the night bonus for his speedy finish of Jason Macdonald just 50 second into the first round.

Mixed Martial Arts action returns to Northern Virginia on May 26^th in Chantilly when the Danger Zone holds their next event at the NOVA Dome, formerly the Northern Virginia Sportsplex in Chantilly.  Ultimate Fighter Alumni Zach Davis will be in attendance.  The card will include local talent including Manassas Park wrestling coach Ben Martell and former Osborne High School wrestler Corey Tangen.  Danger Zone Ticket information is available at www.dangerzonemma.com.

July 28^th Operation Octagon returns to Dulles Sportsplex with the return of decorated MMA and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu fighter Mike Pope from Vanguard Gym in Manassas.  For more information on that event visit OperationOctagon.com.

Operation Octagon comes to the District

Operation Octagon 17 heads to Ibiza Night Club in Washington DC tomorrow night.

Operation Octagon XVII

December 17, 2011

MMA Cagefights: 7:00-10:00 p.m.

Ibiza Night Club, 1222 1st St NE, Washington, DC 2002

Group rates available at The George, a Kimpton Boutique Hotel. Click here for reservations.

Also check out our sponsoring partner, SHAMROCKFEST by clicking the image.

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.

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

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.