Mixed Martial Arts in DC News Blog

Colton Smith wins the BFC 185 Lb Championship Title

FREDERICKSBURG, VA – Doug Esposito’s Vanguard Gym participated in the Barbarian Fight Club 2011 MMA Event at the Fredericksburg Fairgrounds on January 15, 2011. The event featured two shows including the matinee and main card in the evening. MMA fighters from all over the US faced off in a packed house. Vanguard Gym was represented by Colton Smith (5-1) and Bradon Reinhardt (2-0).

Colton Smith headlined the featured fight in the matinee show with the BFC 185 lb Championship Title on the line against Gary “The Goat” Wilkins of Team No Limit MMA (South Hill, VA). Wilkins took the fight on short notice after Smith’s original opponent backed out of the fight.

Bradon Reinhardt at Barbarian Fight Club

The promoter was on stage during the weigh-ins asking if anyone would fight Smith and Wilkins responded that he would take the fight. This was Wilkins’ first fight in MMA. Smith later said, “I looked him in the eye and he was serious about it. He definitely didn’t back down. I’ll give him that much.”

On fight night, tensions reached a peak as the fighters stood infront of each other while the referee explained the rules in the hexagon. “He kind of dug his forehead into mine,” said Smith. “It got me pumped up.” At the start of the match, Smith shot in quickly for the takedown and put Wilkins on the ground. Smith used strikes after gaining the mount to make his opponent turn and put on a rear naked choke for the win and title. The fight ended at approximately 2 minutes in the first round.

Vanguard Gym Fighter Bradon Reinhardt faced off against Jose De La Rosa of Team Hammer (Pennsylvania) later in the evening. Reinhardt clinched his opponent after some brief strikes were thrown and took him down. He moved to the mount and reigned down strikes until the bout was stopped at approximately 2 minutes into the first round.

When asked about his MMA team’s performance, BJJ Black Belt Doug Esposito stated, “I’m really proud of Colton and Bradon.” The next steps for the team included plans to go to the next level. “Colton’s entry to the pro ranks later this year is going to shake things up in his weight class, and Bradon has some amateur belts on his to do list this year before he follows on the pro ranks,” said Esposito.

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