Mixed Martial Arts in DC News Blog

Seph Smith plans to compete as much as possible in 2011. His next tournament will be the Pan-Ams in California.

STERLING, Va. – U.S. Grappling Submission Only made a return to northern Va. this past weekend at the Dulles Sportsplex facility. Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission wrestling teams from all over the mid-atlantic region came to compete in gi and no-gi divisions for men and women.

Among the standout performers in the men’s division was Seph Smith of Fifty/50 BJJ (BRASA Team) in Arlington, Va. Smith came away with a 4-0 record winning gold in the men’s advanced 162 pound no-gi division and the brown belt division. He used a variety of submissions on the day including a rear-naked choke, a guillotine, a gi choke, and an armbar from an elevator sweep. His toughest match of the day came from Vanguard Gym stalwart Mike Pope, who is the current Operation Octagon 155 pound MMA champion. A hard charging Pope escaped submission after submission attempt by Smith in the finals of the no-gi advanced division. “That match was like 20 minutes long,” said Smith. His opportunity came in transition when he caught Pope with a guillotine choke. Although Smith was never threatened with submissions, Pope was at peak form for his MMA title defense this Saturday at the same venue. “He was tough as s—,” said Smith.

When asked about his current streak at U.S. Grappling, Smith said that he is 16-0 for 2011 at the tournament circuit.

Michelle Welti is a BJJ instructor of women's classes at Rage Fight and Fitness in Manassas, Va.

In the women’s division, a limited amount of competitors gave Michelle Welti of Dave Trader BJJ two matches on the day, in which she came away with wins in the advanced no-gi and blue belt divisions. Like many gi grapplers in the amateur ranks, Welti expressed concern about doing no-gi competition. “I was a little bit nervous…but once I got the match to the ground, I felt pretty comfortable.” She eventually won the no-gi match with a rear naked choke. Welti’s future plans are the compete as much as possible. “In a couple of days I’m going to the Pan-Ams,” she said. She also plans to compete in Grapplers Quest, NY Open, Copa Nova, and the Mundials (World Championships).

Watch the slide show below to learn more about the U.S. Grappling tournament and the competitors.

More U.S. Grappling Submission Only Articles:
U.S. Grappling Photography Part II
U.S. Grappling Submission Only – Video Highlights

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

—————————

Read NEW Martial Arts Articles on Front Page!