Josh Aguero was given an award for Fight of the Year. Aguero is a 2011 graduate of George Mason University and a construction cost engineer.

MANASSAS PARK, Va. – Fighting in the UFC is a dream that many fighters pursue. Getting to the big show means paying your dues in challenging bouts early in your career. For Josh Aguero, one more small step in the pursuit of this dream had been completed on Saturday at the OO Fights XXII MMA event. In the co-main event, Josh Aguero squared off with an MMA fighter from Integrated Combat Sports in Langston, Pa. for the OO Fights amateur Bantamweight title.

Josh Aguero’s camp consisted of training for nine weeks in different dojos to hone his skills. His mentor, UFC veteran Aaron Riley, pushed him at the Yamasaki Springfield academy, testing his limits daily. Riley said of his student, “A lot of it was mental training for this match too, but we already physically push him hard with conditioning and technical.” As a brown belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Aguero kept his training consistent at the Pedro Sauer academy in Sterling, Va. Time training was also spent at the Yamasaki academy in Woodbridge, Va.

But using his jiu-jitsu was not his first plan of attack.

“My game plan was actually to use more standup,” said Aguero.

The fight didn’t go as planned. It started when Michael Serrano started off the bout with a flurry of punches. “He actually kind of rocked me a little bit with one of the punches, and that kind of made me hesitant to want to strike with him a little more,” said Aguero.

Aguero then shot in on Serrano, who met his shot attempt with a sprawl. After getting to their feet and tying up, Josh Aguero went to Serrano’s side and got the takedown. From there, it was the methodical grappling that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is known for. After passing the half guard and going to mount, Serrano turned over and gave Aguero is back, giving Aguero the win by rear naked choke.

“It looks like he executed a very good game plan, almost a flawless game plan tonight,” said Aaron Riley.

As one of the highlights of the evening, Josh Aguero was awarded “Fight of the Year” by OO Fights. Aguero said of the honor, “They gave me fight of the year for my second MMA fight against Kevin Chung,” a bout that Aguero lost by decision. “It was a great honor, I honestly do not remember the fight because I got hit with a knee in the first round and fought on instinct for two more rounds. I’m glad everyone liked the fight.”

Watch the first round choke!

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Shurron Thompson is a Staff Sergeant in the Marines.

MANASSAS PARK, Va. – After two years away from fighting in the mixed martial arts cage, Shurron Thompson made his return to MMA fighting at OO Fights XXII this past Saturday at the Manassas Park Community Center.  Shurron Thompson headlined the 12 bout amateur MMA card in the middle weight title bout and last fight of the evening.  The challenger for the title was Eric Kronstadt, a tough Shingitai Jiu Jitsu practitioner who held a 5-0 undefeated record before his collision with Thompson.  

Thompson currently trains with Team Debello out of Warrior MMA in Fredericksburg, Va. and is undefeated at 5-0. Being a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corp, Thompson balances his MMA training with his duties in the military.

“Being in the military you know, it’s kind of hard focusing on being a fighter 24/7,” said Thompson.

In preparation for this bout, Thompson worked on his boxing skills, judo, and jiu jitsu. “For me it was a lot of technical work and a lot of conditioning,” said Thompson.

In his bout with Kronstadt, Shurron Thompson was able to put Kronstadt on the ground three times with punches that left Kronstadt dazed and looking for answers. Thompson, a counter puncher, was ready for the bout because of his training.

“A lot of that stuff is a lot of things we worked on with my boxing coach, Raphael (Santiago).”

Check out Shurron Thompson’s first round KO!

MANASSAS PARK, Va. – OO Fights XXII was held a the Manassas Park Community Center and Sportsplex this Saturday. The mixed martial arts event feated 12 amateur MMA bouts including two title fights. Check out the results from the event!

1. Brian Karanikas (Tech MMA) defeats Joshua Whitlow (Ontario BJJ) by first round guillotine choke
2. Matt Schellenschlager (Maryland BJJ) defeats Shawn Joffe (Royal Martial Arts) by first round choke
3. Patrick Parker (Disciple MMA) defeats Keith Henhawk (Ontario BJJ) by first round choke
4. Anthony Giacchina (Maxum BJJ) defeats Alex Kotacka (Independent) by first round arm triangle
5. Broderick Rene (Ontario BJJ) defeats Carlos Davila (Disciple MMA) by first round arm-in guillotine choke
6. Ardit Hysa (OBX MMA) defeats Matt Dotson (Tech MMA) by unanimous decision.
7. Rob Watley (Royal Martial Arts) defeats Ravon Dixon (MMA Institute) by unanimous decision
8. Matthew Ferguson (LA Boxing) defeats Brett Jenkins (Freedom MMA) by third round guillotine.
9. Anthony Cordero (Disciple MMA) defeats Daniel Moreno (Team Zamora) by first round KO.
10. Scott Noble (MMA Institute) defeats Francis Grant (LA Boxing) by first round KO (kick).

Bantamweight Title
11. Josh Aguero (Aaron Riley MMA) defeats Michael Serrano (Integrated Combat Sports) by first round rear naked choke.

Middleweight Title
12. Shurron Thompson (Team Debello) defeats Eric Kronstadt (Shingitai Jiu Jitsu) by first round KO.

Mike Easton began training in mixed martial arts at the age of 16.

The “Next World Champion” is a reality TV show produced by Lloyd Irvin. The show features Team Lloyd Irvin fighters and competitors, along with affiliates and associates.

In this show, Washington, D.C. native Mike Easton talks about his upcoming bout in the UFC. Mike Easton began martial arts at the age of 7 training in Tae Kwon Do and achieving a black belt. He began training in mixed martial arts (MMA) at the age of 16 when he first met Master Lloyd Irvin at a restaurant. He is currently 3-0 in the UFC and pushing towards a title shot.

Also featured on the show was Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and MMA fighter, DJ Jackson. DJ Jackson competed and won a world title at the 2012 IBJJF No-Gi World Championships in the black belt division. Highlights of his match with Clark Gracie were shown. Watch BJJ black belt JT Torres’ controversial match with Augusto Mendes in the finals of the lightweight division, in which an advantage is awarded to Augusto Mendes in the final seconds of the match.

Also in on the show are Mike Van Arsdale, Marcos Avellan, Keenan Cornelius, and Jimmy Harbison.

Craig Pittman (left), a former WCW pro wrestler, won his bout at Operation Octagon by unanimous decision.

STERLING, Va. – On Oct. 13, 2012, Craig Pittman stepped into the cage at Operation Octagon XXI to face off against yet another opponent in his long career. Not many people in the Washington, D.C. area know who Craig Pittman is, but his background in Vale Tudo and professional wrestling make him a person to be noted.

Pittman is best known for his appearance in the 1995 Japanese Vale Tudo, which featured one of the most decorated Vale Tudo fighters of all time, Rickson Gracie. As a tournament style “No Holds Barred” event, there were no weight classes, and the fighters werei required to fight multiple times in a night if they won their matches. For Pittman, after winning his first match, he was on a collision course with Rickson Gracie in the finals. However, the heavyweight Pittman ran into a 150 lbs shooto wrestler named Yuki Nakai, who while being mauled in the match, slapped on an armbar that submitted Pittman in the semi-finals of the Vale Tudo.

Pittman’s history in the ring traces back before his Vale Tudo fights. Before taking up MMA, he was known as Sergeant Craig Pittman in the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) organization. It was there are Pittman took on the likes of Ric Flair and Sting. Pittman also appeared in Pay-Per-View events such as Slamboree and the Great American Bash.

Watch Craig Pittman fight at the 1995 Japan Vale Tudo Open!

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Guro Dennis Barongan teaches a Filipino kali technique for disarming a knife.

ROCKVILLE, Md.-Kali is a traditional martial art of the Philippine islands. The history of kali is not completely known, but is thought to have been used by Filipino tribes to defend against each other. Kali is well known for its use against the Spanish invaders in the 1500′s who came to the Philippines. Guro Dennis Barongan is a certified Filipino kali instructor under Guro Dan Inosanto, Bruce Lee’s former training partner. Watch Guro Dennis Barongan as he teaches a knife defense in his Filipino kali class at Pure Performance Martial Arts Center in Rockville, Md.

Mark Kuhnke (right) trains kickboxing, boxing, wrestling, and grappling at Gold Medal Grappling in Woodbridge, Va.

CHANTILLY, Va. – The Thai Championship Boxing event on Saturday November 17, 2012 offered exciting Muay Thai bouts in a family environment and showcased local east coast talent. For Mark Kuhnke of Gold Medal Grappling in Woodbridge, Va., the big opportunity for a title shot came, but on short notice.

“I didn’t know about it until Tuesday, that the fight was confirmed,” said Kuhnke.

Even though on short notice, Kuhnke’s consistent training at Gold Medal Grappling paid off and helped him with the win. “We’re always doing cardio. I think I have very good cardio.”

As a current student at Nova Community College, Kuhnke balances his training with his workload at school. “I’m actually graduating this semester…I’m going to VCU.”

Watch the videos of the following bouts:

Leg Kick TKO: Brynnen McIver (Kamikaze Fight Team) vs. Reed Miller (Vanguard Gym)
Punch KO: Roberto Ford (MMA Institute) vs. Scott Brain (Capital MMA)
Unanimous Decision: Sunni Imhotep (BETA Academy) vs. Ray Vols (Bowie MMA)
TKO: Bao Khong (Pentagon MMA) vs. Elliott Strickland (Bowie MMA)

Click more to watch the videos

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Pass the Guard with Confidence

With Lovato’s Awesome System

Rafael Lovato teaches you his never seen before guard
passing secrets in his ground breaking DVD series!

For over a decade Rafael Lovato Jr. has been honing his
system to perfection. Now YOU can use this system to
dominate the competition!

In this system you will learn:

Pressure Passing: How to setup all your passes
How to SHUTDOWN the closed guard
How to stop common sweeps from the closed guard
How to nullify the half guard!

Passing Techniques!

1. The X-Pass
2. Side Smash Pass
3. Cross Pass
4. Butt Flop Pass
5. Stack Pass
6. Bullfight pass
7. Leg Lasso Pass
8. Inverted Guard Passing

Felipe Valentin (left) and David Lopez are both 15 years old, but provided the most exciting Muay Thai fight at Thai Championship Boxing.

CHANTILLY, Va. – On November 17, 2012, the Thai Championship Boxing Muay Thai event was held at the nZone Sports Facility in northern Va. 25 amateur Muay Thai bouts were held during the afternoon and into the evening. Two of the most exciting fights of the event were Felipe Valentin (Yamasaki MMA) versus David Lopez (Disciple MMA) in the men’s division, and Casey Terrell (Capital MMA) against Lauren Plemontese (Smokin Fist Fight Team) in the women’s bouts.

Valentin won the judges over with his combinations, counter attacks, and an overhand right that rocked David Lopez in the third round. Valentin was able to close the distance and launch combinations even though Lopez was the taller fighter.

Casey Terrell’s bout with Lauren Plemontese presented a contrast of styles, with Terrell showcasing her Muay Thai kicking ability, and Plemontese focusing more on her boxing. The action went back and forth, but the judges chose Terrell in the end.

Check out the Muay Thai fights from Thai Championship Boxing!

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Lloyd Irvin (right) will host an international BJJ tournament. The winner will win the right to compete against 2012 Brown Belt World Champion, Keenan Cornelius, for an additional of $5,000.

After making blistering remarks on Facebook about biased refereeing at IBJJF tournaments, Lloyd Irvin is putting his money where his mouth is by hosting a brown belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament and reality TV show. The event, called the Next World Champion: “BJJ Kumite – Enter the Bulldog”, will feature brown belt competitors from the U.S. and countries all over the world. The competitors will compete for cash prizes in a tournament and the right to make an additional $5,000 in gi and no-gi submission only matches against the reigning IBJJF No-Gi Brown Belt World Champion, Keenan Cornelius. The BJJ Kumite is currently scheduled for December 10 through December 16th.

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