Mixed Martial Arts in DC News Blog

George Sheppard of Newport News, Va. wins by first round TKO in 1:50. Sheppard was one of five MMA Institute fighters on the card.

NORFOLK, Va. – The M-1 Global Challenge XXIV event was held at the Ted Constant Center on the campus of Old Dominion University this past weekend. The event featured 11 professional mixed martial arts bouts including local and international fighters. The promotion was highlighted by the two title bouts featuring Tyson Jeffries against Magomed Sultanakhmedov for the middleweight title, and Jose Figueroa against Artiom Damkovsky for the lightweight title.

For local pro fighters in Virginia, the event provided huge opportunities to fight in an MMA promotion partially televised on Showtime.

Rick McCoy’s MMA Institute fielded five fighters in the event, starting with former ODU wrestler Bryan Lashomb. Lashomb took on Marcus “Menace” Daniels of Viet Le’s Team Assassin in Alexandria, Va. The two met in a previous bout as amateur MMA fighters, where Lashomb won by TKO stoppage. Still, McCoy’s team took Daniels very seriously. “We know he’s dangerous at any time,” he said. Being well prepared for the fight, Lashomb shot in for a takedown and began landing powerful shots from the standing position. A series of punches ended the fight in 57 seconds of the first round. “We pretty much know that every guy Bryan fights he’s going to out wrestle,” said McCoy. “His boxing is actually really good now.”

The MMA Institute would finish the evening going 3-2 with additional first round wins from George Sheppard and Jessie Riggleman of Harrisonburg, Va.

Colton Smith of Vanguard Gym in Manassas, Va. made his pro debut at the event against MMA Institute’s Brian Nielson, a former collegiate wrestler from Liberty University. Smith dominated the bout starting with a takedown on Nielson. Nielson briefly got up to his feet, only to be taken down again. Smith said, “He circled towards my power into the corner and immediately opened up my door for me.” After achieving the mounted position, Smith reigned down punches putting his opponent in survival mode. He ended the fight with a rear-naked choke in the first round with less than a minute to go. To Smith, the dominant control throughout the bout was not expected. “I knew that Brian was tough,” he said. “I was very surprised at how I controlled the pace of the fight.”

In the only women’s bout of the evening, Bethany Marshall of MAMMA’s Boys in Yorktown, Va. took on Stacy Grant of Virginia Beach, Va. Marshall had several submission attempts in the first round and put Grant in many bad positions. Grant was given another opportunity to use her muay thai skills when the first round ended. In the second round, Marshall went on her back and slapped on a heel hook to end the bout at 1:39.

Johnny Curtis wrestled at George Mason University and later joined the U.S. National team. He has his own gym and also fights out of the Pedro Sauer Total Defense Academy.

In his ninth pro bout, two time All-American collegiate wrestler Johnny Curtis made short work of his opponent, Bobby Gurley, in 36 seconds of the first round. Curtis said of his bout that it was a body shot to the liver that made Gurley fall down. “I heard him make a bad sound. He was in pain,” he said. Curtis followed up with punches and the bout was stopped.

Popular opinion among the fighters was that the promotion was one of the most professional MMA events to be held in Virginia. Although the seating stood at about half capacity, the opportunity for the locals to be included in an international MMA event in partnership with Showtime was a boon for the fighters. Colton Smith said, “It was a great venue. They treated us awesome. The fight and the production was good. I’d love to fight for them again.”

More M-1 Global Challenge XXIV Articles:
M-1 Global Challenge XXIV – Video Highlights (Maincard)
M-1 Global Challenge XXIV – Quick Results
—————————

***** Please hit the “LIKE” Button below if you Like this article!! Thanks!! *****

—————————

Read NEW Martial Arts Articles on Front Page!