Mixed Martial Arts in DC News Blog

UFC veteran Gabriel Gonzaga of Team Link competed in the masters black belt open division of the 2011 IBJJF New York Open. Watch videos from his matches in the open division.

Gabriel Gonzaga (Team Link) submits Guillermo Salas (Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy) in the finals.

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Nakapan Phungephorn (Team Lloyd Irvin) in the semi-finals.

Gabriel Gonzaga in the first round of the open division.

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Rafael 'Formiga' Barbosa won his match in the lightweight division and defeated super heavy weight Guybson Sa in the finals of the adult black belt open.

NEW YORK — The IBJJF New York Open was held this past weekend at the City College of New York.   Among the highlights of the event was the men’s adult black belt division open.

The finals of the open pitted lightweight winner Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa against heavyweight competitor Guybson Sa of the SAS Team.

In a classic match up of light versus heavy competitors, the two went the distance in the match for first place.

Barbosa, who fights out of the Soul Fighters/Best Way camp in Connecticut, had two other matches in the open division, which were won by choke and points. In the finals, Barbosa continued his X-guard strategy, using the sweeps to win by two points (6-4).  Barbosa said, “This guy’s very good, but he’s very tall…(which is) also (good) for my game.”  Barbosa also said that since his opponent had long legs, he was able to get under him and use his X-guard strategy.

Watch Barbosa in the finals against Guybson Sa.

More Match Videos:
MMA Fighter Gabriel Gonzaga wins Master’s Black Belt Division
Adult black belt matches
More adult black belt matches
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The Washington Wrestling Club is a USA Wrestling sanctioned club at American University. Membership is available to the public for $60 a year.

Are you tired of getting taken down? Work on your wrestling!

The Washington Wrestling Club will host freestyle and Greco-Roman practices Wednesday (7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) and Sundays (3:00 p.m. toi 4:00 p.m.) from April 13th to May 22nd. Practices will be run by Tom Schwarting and Clarence Long. Tom Schwarting is a former D-III wrestler and coach from Rochester Institute of Technology. Clarence Long is a former D-I wrestler from William and Mary and is a current highschool wrestling coach.

The practices are available to current WWC members. WWC membership dues for non-American University students are $60 per membership year, which includes a USA Wrestling membership card. Prior wrestling experience is not necessary to join the WWC.

Practices will consist of instruction on the international rules of freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, technique instruction, drilling and live wrestling.

For more information about the WWC, check out the website or email info@washingtonwrestlingclub.com.

— Information contributed by Clarence Long.
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Grapplers Quest Beast of the East is a submission wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament organized by Brian Cimins.

ASBURY PARK, N.J. — The Grapplers Quest 2011 Beast of the East was held this past Saturday and featured a record breaking amount of attendees. In addition to the national and international representation at the tournament, the D.C. metro area regularly sends teams of grapplers to the tournament to compete.

D.C. Metro Area Highlights

Team Lloyd Irvin (TLI) took first place in the overall team title, coming in first place in all team divisions. The women’s team division gold was shared with Justin Garcia’s Jungle Gym in N.Y. The TLI contingent was comprised mostly of youth competitors from Lloyd Irvin Martial Arts Academy in Camp Springs, Md. and adult competitors from Crazy 88 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Elkridge, Md.

From Fifty/50 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Arlington, Va., Seph Smith of the BRASA Team won three matches in the advanced no-gi 150-159 pound division to win gold. Smith controlled the pace of his matches and ended up winning all his matches by points.

In the brown belt division, Smith won his first match 36-0, but lost his second match to Dan Boyle of Delco BJJ by a score of 9-0. Boyle went on to win the division with Smith taking second.

Fifty/50 BJJ competitors Kenny Savercool and Ostap Manastryski closed out the featherweight purple belt division, winning gold and silver, respectively. Savercool was also in the finals of the advanced no-gi featherweight division, but was caught with a guillotine choke by Chris Ulbricht of Grapplers Guide. In a stroke of luck, Manastryski won the Autism charity raffle to compete at Grapplers Quest events free for life.

From Dave Trader’s Rage Fight and Fitness in Manassas, Va., BJJ blue belt Michelle Welti took gold in the women’s no-gi advanced class C 140-149 pound division in addition to gold in the women’s advanced no-gi open. Welti’s matches in her weight division were both won by triangle choke. In the finals of the open, she escaped leg lock attempts and controlled scoring positions with a final score of 15-2.

When asked about her thoughts on her matches, Welti said, “I went into this tournament off of a tough first round loss at the Pan-Ams. After that I decided I needed to re-evaluate my game, which I did with the help of my coach, and went into Grappler’s Quest with a whole new mentality.”

Team Yamasaki reported competitors in the kids division, where three medals were earned by youth competitors.

2011 Beast of the East Related Articles:
Brazil battles Russia in the semi-finals of the men’s no-gi advanced open
Team Lloyd Irvin wins Overall Team Title
Action Photography of Competitor Matches
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Malachi Edmond (right) of Team Lloyd Irvin won gold and silver in his age bracket (16-17) and also gold in the adult bantamweight blue belt division.

ASBURY PARK, N.J. — This past weekend, the most highly attended Grapplers Quest tournament in history was held at the Asbury Park Convention Hall. Of the teams competing at the tournament, Team Lloyd Irvin (TLI), a Brazilian jiu-jitsu, submission wrestling, and mixed martial arts association based in Camp Springs, Md., won the overall combined team title.

Lloyd Irvin Martial Arts Academy (LIMAA), the headquarters of TLI, brought in 17 total competitors in the kids and teen divisions. TLI affiliates, such as Crazy88 BJJ (Elkridge, Md.) and Ivey League MMA (Annapolis, Md.), also brought in competitors, with a group of approximately 20 adult competitors coming from Crazy88.

Leading the kids were Malachi Edmond and Cedric Bryant of LIMAA, two teenagers under age 18, who both won gold in separate adult blue belt divisions. Edmond and Bryant also competed in their regular brackets, each winning gold and silver medals in the 16-17 year old gi and no-gi divisions. Donnie Achnick, head instructor of the kid’s program at LIMAA, said, “I couldn’t expect a better performance. This was the first tournament we could bring a larger portion of the team.”

The TLI women’s highlights include first place finishes by LIMAA’s Aarae Alexander (no-gi advanced class B), Crazy88′s Alexandria Welch (white belt class A), and Ivey League’s Michelle Francis (white belt class B).

Al Washington of Crazy88 BJJ won gold in the blue belt division and silver in the superweight no-gi advanced division.

In the men’s division, Crazy88 BJJ comprised most of the TLI adult team competitors, with some of the medal contributions from Malcolm Vaughan (gold in purple belt cruiserweight), Matthew Rihani (gold in intermediate welterweight, silver blue belt welterweight), and Kwami Mensah (double gold in executive advanced lightweight and executive blue belt).

Al Washington scored two medals with a gold in the blue belt superweight division, and a silver medal in the no-gi advanced division. Washington took second in his no-gi division to M-1 and Bellator MMA veteran, Alex Oleinik, of Red Devil and K-Dojo.

Additional Crazy88 representation came from competitors such as 17 year old Devan Delbrugge (bronze, adult blue belt), Tom Shrum (silver, blue belt), Katie Oliphant, Mike “Project Mayhem” Aquila, Larissa Zwanenburg, Russell Atkinson, and Atakan Ince.

Crazy88 BJJ owner and head instructor Julius Park said of his team that, “Everyone is better now then they were before the tournament.”  Although he felt there were some questionable calls, he stated, “I am happy with how everyone did.”

2011 Beast of the East Related Articles:
Competitor Photographs
Brazil vs. Russia closes out Beast of the East Men’s No-Gi Advanced Open
Event and Competitor Photography Part 2
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Entrance into the Grapplers Quest event

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ASBURY PARK, N.J. — The Grapplers Quest 2011 Beast of the East tournament was held this past weekend at the Asbury Park Convention Hall. The event featured submission wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu divisions for men, women, and children. Competitors from the U.S. and outside of the country came to compete for championship belts, medals, and cash prizes.

According to the Grapplers Quest website, Team Lloyd Irvin won the overall combined team title, followed by Jungle Gym, and Team Marcelo Garcia.

Check out the event photography and competitor action.

Instructions: For the slide show above, click on the arrows to move between the slides.  Commentary may be provided at the top of some of the photos.  The thumbnails below are included in the slides.

2011 Beast of the East Related Articles:
Competitor Photographs
Brazil vs. Russia closes out Beast of the East Men’s No-Gi Advanced Open

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Grapplers Quest Beast of the East 2011

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ASBURY PARK, N.J. — The Grapplers Quest Beast of the East submission wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament was held at the Asbury Park Convention Hall this past weekend.  A total of 250 champions were crowned at the record breaking event which featured gi and no-gi divisions for men, women, and children.

National and international competitors grappled for championship belts, medals, cash, and prizes.

Check out the competitor photography from the tournament.

Instructions: For the slide show above, click on the arrows to move between the slides.  Commentary may be provided at the top of some of the photos.  The thumbnails below are included in the slides.

2011 Beast of the East Related Articles:
Brazil vs. Russia closes out 2011 Beast of the East No-Gi Advanced Absolute
Event and Competitor Photographs Part 2

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Fans watch in disbelief as the Russian team MMA fighter, Alex Olienik, attempts a leg scissor and choke submission on Oliveira. The double attack was used to submit an opponent previously in the division.

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TRADUCAO PORTUGESE

ASBURY PARK, N.J. – The Grapplers Quest 2011 Beast of the East submission wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament was held on April 9, 2011 at the Asbury Park Convention Hall. The event attracted record breaking attendance, with almost 4000 people at the event.

At stake were championship belts, medals, and $14,250 in cash and prizes for winners in selected championship divisions.

The highlight of the event was the men’s no-gi advanced absolute, where MMA fighter Alex Oleinik, a Bellator and M-1 MMA veteran from Red Devil/K-Dojo would be in the division with other advanced competitors to compete for a purse of $1,000 and a pass to “Compete Free for Life.” After many hard fought matches in the open division, the competition resulted in a Brazil vs. Russia match up, in a classic battle of technique vs. strength.

K-Dojo teammates Oleinik and Rustam Chsiev barreled through their opponents using strength moves and submission holds characteristic of martial arts training from the northern Caucasus of Russia. Oleinik leveraged his size advantage over a previous competitor by squeezing his legs around his opponent while in the guard position, which resulted in a tap out. For Chsiev, an ADCC North American and Grapplers Quest champion, opponents who chose to stand up with him during the tournament followed similar patterns of being lifted and landing on their backs.

Chsiev's strength was evident when the Russian powered out of a triangle attempt by Barbosa.

In a contrast of styles, the Brazilian competitors Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa of Soul Fighters/Best Way and Vitor Oliveira (GF Team in Brazil), were prepared to meet their opponents in the semi-finals using the technique and leverage that is emphasized in jiu-jitsu. The competitors also competed throughout the open division to reach the semi-finals.

The first semi-final match would pit Oleinik against Oliveira, pairing the heavyweight Russian MMA fighter against the smaller sized Brazilian. To many people’s surprise, Oliveira scored a take down to go up 2-0, putting Oleinik on his back. The Russian later went to his guard and attempted a double submission attack on the Brazilian. “He was trying to do the scissor and the choke together,” said Oliveira through a translator. However, the attacks were unsuccessful. Oleinik then came back to score a takedown, putting the Brazilian on the mat. Oliveira would stand up again, and the Russian, still latched on behind him, would take him down again. Much to the disappointment of the K-Dojo coach, the referee did not rule it as a takedown. The match would end in a tie, and the referee would give the decision to Oliveira. “He was thinking he had to finish with Formiga so they could finish the absolute together,” said Oliveira’s translator. A vocal K-Dojo coach would voice his displeasure for not receiving points, however, the decision would stand.

BJJ black belts Vitor Oliveira (GFT in Brazil) and Rafael 'Formiga' Barbosa of Soul Fighters/Best Way (Connecticut) close out the men's advanced no-gi absolute division.

In the next match of the semi-finals, Rafael Barbosa took on Rustam Chsiev. Chsiev, who had previously won the 190 to 199 advanced no-gi division, would be forced to play an unfamiliar strategy. Barbosa engaged the Russian from his back, working his way to the X-guard. After splitting his opponent, Barbosa got the sweep and moved behind his opponent. From there, Chsiev never got back on the score board. The rest of the match had Chsiev attempting to pass the guard, but to no avail.  The match would end with Chsiev still trying to pass the guard and Barbosa would win by points. “I know this guy’s stand up (is) awesome,” said Barbosa.  ”He is explosive but not tight pressure.”

After the matches, the Brazilians would close out the division and win the prize money.  Barbosa’s thoughts on his match would sum up the contrast of style between the matchups, “Very strong…very strong…(but) no technique.”

Related Articles:
2011 Beast of the East Competitor Photos
Event and Competitor Photographs Part 2

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ZACH DAVIS’ “THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER” PARTY – WEDNESDAY

On April 13, Zach Davis of Evolve Academy/Team Lloyd Irvin will host another Ultimate Fighter party at a location to be announced in Montgomery County, Md. The party will start at 7:30 p.m. and will feature free give aways, such as TapOut shirts, to people that come and show their support. Up coming details about the party will be on his site at www.zachdavismma.com.

SHOGUN FIGHTS 4 RETURNS TO BALTIMORE, Md.

Local D.C. metro fighters are scheduled to fight at the largest MMA show in Maryland on April 30, 2011 at 1st Mariner Arena. Current local D.C. area fighters are Dustin Pague (MASE Training/Tony Passos BJJ), Jason Morris (Evolve Academy/Team Lloyd Irvin), Marshall “The Unknown Warrior” Thompson (Evolve Academy & Warrior Gym), Adrian Belcarris, and Dean Lavin (Team Assassin).

Dustin Page made a strong performance in his last appearance at Shogun Fights 3, winning by first round TKO via strikes.

In his last appearance at Shogun Fights, Jason Morris was coaching Zach Davis in his final fight before the Ultimate Fighter. Now, Morris will step in the cage as a fighter and take on Cole Pressley of Clinch Academy.

Marshall Thompson continues his comeback to MMA after battling injuries. The former WKA National MMA champion (2007) will take on Siyam Yousefi in a 135 pound bout.

* Update: Added Adrian Belcarris and Dean Lavin (Team Assassin)

FIGHTING OUT OF TOWN

Week-in and week-out, local fighters go out of town to compete in other fight shows. Please wish these fighters good luck on their road trip endeavors!

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS

April 8 – Atlantic City (New Jersey) – Ring of Combat XXXV – Elijah Harshbarger, Gold Medal Grappling (Team Lloyd Irvin)
Live Stream: View Event
April 9 – Akron (Ohio) – NAAFS – Proving Ground MMA Series 4 – Rosanna Garcia, Evolve Academy (Team Lloyd Irvin)

MUAY THAI

April 12 – Thailand (Patong) – Aaron Jimmerson, Fairfax Jiu-Jitsu
April 17 – Thailand (Kohsamui) – Rene Rodriguez, Fairfax Jiu-Jitsu/Yamasaki-Springfield
April 29 – NYC – WKA Fight Night – Hiro Perera, Fairfax Jiu-Jitsu

ELITE FIGHTING CHALLENGE 8 AFTERMATH

This past weekend, the EFC 8 MMA event was held in Lynchburg, Va. After the fights, I caught up with E.J. Mecklenburg of BETA Academy/Team Lloyd Irvin who won a decisive first round victory over Josh Clark of the Strikers Union Fight Team in North Carolina.  Mecklenburg’s quick take down and ground-and-pound resulted in a broken nose for Clark and a first round submission by way of choke.  After the bout, Clark engaged Mecklenburg in conversation about the fight.  When asked about their brief discussion, this is what Mecklenburg had to say:

“The guy that I fought came up and we were talking. I wasn’t sure exactly what he was trying to do. It was casual at first, then…I don’t know if he was trying save his ego or egg me on…he was trying to put something out there like he wanted to fight again, and he actually said he wanted a rematch and that ‘I would be the guy leaving with the broken nose next time.’ I thought it was kind of childish, kinda silly, especially after it was a pretty decisive win in my mind. I told him that if he wanted it that bad, he could take the four hour trip up to D.C. and we can have one…I don’t know exactly what was going through his mind, but it was really weird. I don’t think it was the most respectful thing to do after getting smashed like that.”

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU AND SUBMISSION WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS

Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championships

The Abu Dhabi World Pro Championships will be held during the period of April 8-16 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center in the United Arab Emirates.  Severals competitors from local teams have won pro-trial tournaments to earn sponsored trips to the World Pro Championships.  The tournament is open to all competitors, however, pro-trial winners qualify for sponsored travel and lodging.

Sponsored competitors:

Black Belt, Ryan Hall, Fifty/50 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BRASA Team)
Brown Belt, Jimmy Harbison, Lloyd Irvin Martial Arts Academy
Purple Belt, D.J. Jackson, Lloyd Irvin Martial Arts Academy
Purple Belt, Kenneth Brown, Evolve Academy (Team Lloyd Irvin)
Blue Belt, Pere Briggs, Lloyd Irvin Martial Arts Academy
Blue Belt, Megan Lomonof, Fifty/50 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BRASA Team)

Please send any corrections or additions to MMAinDC.com via the “About” page.

New Yamasaki Academy Location In Woodbridge, Va.

Yamasaki Jiu-Jitsu black belt Joe Cunningham will be the head instructor at the new location. Classes run Monday through Saturday and will include BJJ, no-gi grappling, and mixed martial arts.

Location:
13546 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192
For more information, call: (703) 261-9657

Editor’s Note: Thank you to everyone who contributed information for this article.—————————

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Students working out at Fifty/50 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Arlington, Va.

The Fifty/50 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy was founded by Abu Dhabi medalist Ryan Hall and pro-grappling competitor Seph Smith.  A women’s BJJ program was later established by Jen Flannery.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial arts style based on grappling techniques and submissions. The art was popularized in the United States by Royce Gracie in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.  Royce used grappling techniques to control and submit larger opponents during his matches.

Check out the slide show and captions to learn about the women’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu program at Fifty/50 BJJ.

Instructions: Left click on a photo. Click on the bottom arrows to move through the slides. Clicking on the image may end the viewing early.

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