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.

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)

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.