OneWorld MMA - DC Pro Fights; Saturday, November 19th, 2011; Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.
The Walter E. Washington Convention Center was home to the action on Saturday November 19, 2011 as OneWorld MMA presented us with an exciting night of local fights with their “DC; Pro Fights” offering. Fernando Yamasaki presided over the evening’s bouts which included a number of competitive and spirited mixed martial arts contests. Mark Gonzalez (Director of Operations) and OneWorld MMA did not disappoint, as the evening was filled with fireworks.
Anthony “Father Time” Horn got things going in dominating fashion, defeating Jeff Manalansan via 1st round TKO. Horn controlled the pace of the bout with solid wrestling before scoring a take-down, improving his position securing side control, and coaxing the referee stoppage with strikes on the ground. Brian Nielson brought a win back home to the MMA Institute in Richmond, VA with an impressive 1st round guillotine submission victory over Joe Slaughter in a 170 lb division match up. Stephen Govan nearly put Philip Estes to sleep in round 2 of his bout with a slick rear naked choke, taking his back to earn an impressive submission victory, and Francisco Salguero dropped a razor close 3-round decision to DeJuan “D-Train” Hathaway in one of the most competitive bouts of the evening. Hathaway took the first two clear cut 10-9 rounds before Salguero came roaring back in the 3rd with the highly animated, Team Yamasaki support crew bringing the collective energy level up in the cage with their support. Salguero ended the final round with Hathaway mounted, ready to continue his barrage of strikes, but it was too little, too late for the Team Yamasaki stand out.
DeJuan Hathaway defeats Francisco Salguero
In the most highly anticipated bout as far as War Room Sports was concerned, former radio show (The War Room) guest and rising 170 lb. threat Kyle Sefcik took a step back on his way up the Mid-Atlantic Region’s MMA fight scene ladder. Sefcik went toe-to-toe with Mario Martinez in a fight that was pure hustle and grit from start to finish. Sefcik started off the bout aiming to put his wrestling base to work, looking for take-downs early against Martinez, who appeared the larger fighter from press row and had The War Room crew and their local D.C. MMA Correspondent wondering how he came within 20lbs of the 170lb weight limit for the contest. Sefcik struggled to do so however, and resorted to trading blows, standing with the short but powerful Martinez. Martinez appeared the sharper striker with crisp strikes landing with respectable power and accuracy. Sefcik stood in the pocket, showing great cardio, fantastic will, and a solid chin, as he absorbed shots from Martinez on his feet as he continued to press the action with a relentless pace. Although he showed promise, Sefcik was stopped in his tracks late in the second round on the fight doctor’s recommendation, with a cut under his left eye that would require 10 stitches. Visibly worse for the wear, Sefcik remained in high spirits after the bout, claiming he was “just getting warmed up” when interviewed by The War Room post-fight.
Kyle Sefcik vs Mario Martinez
If you’re a true MMA-head, get your fix inside The War Room. Whether you’re looking for analysis and commentary on the mainstream with UFC coverage, or a localized, in-depth look at the Mid-Atlantic fight scene, The War Room has you covered.
Tommy Comeau, for War Room Sports
Tommy Comeau (lft) & Dana White (Current President of UFC)
Tommy Comeau lives in Washington, DC and is War Room Sports’ Mid-Atlantic Region MMA Correspondent.
