An historic Shogun Fights VIII took place on Saturday April 13, 2013 with the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, MD playing host to Maryland’s first sanctioned female bout in MMA history. Promoter John Rallo put on quite a show for those in attendance and War Room Sports captured the action live from Press Row.
The first bout of the evening featured Baltimore representative and Team Ground Control prospect Ratioender Melo against Spencer Strube of Urbana, MD’s Clinch Academy in a 150lb contest to kick things off. Melo struck first with a nearly successful Kimura attempt, but Strube survived the onslaught, took control of the cage with superior wrestling, and finished Melo with a first round Rear Naked Choke.
Fight number two was contested at 170lbs and had Tactical Combat MMA and Chambersburg, PA’s Craig Hight square off against Evolve Academy’s Dameron Kirby of Gaithersburg, MD. This fight would turn out to go the distance, a three round war with Hight’s hand being raised in the end thanks to his striking defense, superior wrestling, and overall command of the cage.
“Adi 5000”
Fight number three, a 145lb bout, met its end not long into round one as Ground Control representative Adi “Adi 5000” Alic finished The Cave MMA and Stafford, VA’s Charles Kessinger with a vicious armbar. Kessinger was visibly injured from the brutal submission, the crowd roaring with approval for the hometown Alic’s victory.
The fourth bout of the evening, another 170lb matchup, featured Crofton BJJ’s Micah Terril taking on Cheron Gregory of Smyrna, DE’s Team Roc. Unfortunately there wasn’t a great deal to report on this fight as Terril ended Gregory’s night early via knockout 4:03 into the very first frame.
Fight number five didn’t take much longer and by this point it was clear that the Baltimore faithful were receiving their money’s worth and then some. Dan Chacon, representing Beta Academy of Washington, DC survived a spirited stand up effort early to defeat Berlin, MD’s OC Fight Club 145lb fighter Rubin Martinez via Triangle Choke in a hotly contested 145lb matchup.
Fight number six saw Dave Daniecki, another Ground Control standout receive a unanimous decision nod 
over Williamsport, PA and Team Vicious MMA export Lewis Rumsey in a three round, 205lb battle. Daniecki immediately took control with a takedown and Americana attempt early, spending the majority of the round raining down punches from Rumsey’s half-guard. This would indeed prove the “tale of the tape” for the duration of the bout, with Daniecki securing another victory for the Ground Control crew.
The seventh bout of the evening, a 125lb affair, would prove to be the shortest in duration of the evening. Greg Saumenig of Infinity MMA and Ocean City, MD took out Glen Burnie, MD and Practical MMA product Nelson Moody just 1:07 into the very first round with an impressive guillotine choke stoppage.
Fight number eight was a 135lb showdown which pit Umaer Haq, representing Mikido MMA out of Bailey’s Crossroads, VA against the likes of Rob Sullivan, a Team Balance fighter and hometown guy from Baltimore, MD. Haq would control the bout with a potent mix of punches and elbows on the feet, and technical grappling to secure the unanimous decision victory.
Christian Leonard
Fight number nine, a 155lb bout saw Conquest BJJ and Crofton, MD’s Nate Grebb square off against Tech Top Team’s Christian Leonard who made the trip up from Christiansburg, VA. This bout was fast-paced action from start to finish. Leonard was dominant standing, but took things to the ground and claiming victory with a well executed guillotine choke victory.
Fight ten was history in the making as Evolve Academy and 
Gaithersburg, MD product Rosanna Garcia took on Culpepper, VA and Zamora Boxing’s Gabby Holloway in a 135lb contest that was the first sanctioned women’s bout in MMA history in the state of Maryland. In a fashion much like that during bout that took place between the two as amateurs a few years back, Holloway put her wrestling pedigree to work taking a decision victory.
The 155lb Shogun Fights VIII Main Event saw yet another Team Ground Control prospect in 
Dan Root make quick work of Star City Fight Team and Roanoke, VA’s Noe Quintanilla. Root secured a takedown early and didn’t relent from that point forward, winning the bout via first round Rear Naked Choke.
John Rallo puts on another great event
Overall John Rallo and company provided a high quality offering with Shogun Fights VIII. Solid production and entertaining fights made for quite an event. Stay Tuned to War Room Sports for future coverage of Shogun Fights and other MMA events in the region!
Tommy Comeau of “MMA in The War Room”, for War Room Sports
Post-fight excitement filled the air, as you can see in the video below:
