In the first ever MMA event at the VCU Siegel Center, Valhalla IV delivered exciting, hard hitting action. With a total of 13 fights on the card including a GCA (Global Combat Alliance) Title fight, the action packed card kept the fans in attendance on the edge of their seats the entire night.

Fighters came from as far as Ontario Canada to compete in the event. Despite the cold weather outside, many braved the poor conditions to be in attendance. Former WWE Wrestler Steve Blackman brought 5 fighters with him and many in attendance made the long drive from Harrisburg, PA.

Summary of the Fights:

Nick Gentile (Steve Blackman's Fighting Systems) vs. Scott Smith (Fightworks)
Bantam Weight
Scott Smith earned a hard fought unanimous decision in the event's opening fight over a game Nick Gentile. After 3 close rounds, the judges scored the fight 29-28, 29-28, 29-28 in favor of Smith.

The opening round began with a nice take down by Gentile, with aggressive action from both fighters. After gaining the back mount, Gentile attempted a submission which Smith was able to escape.

In Round 2, Smith was able to avoid a takedown attempt from Gentile and attempt a guillotine choke. Gentile remained aggressive throughout the fight, even attempting a choke of his own, but Smith was able to score points on the ground and landed a big elbow that opened a cut on Gentile's forehead.

Round 3 began again with a shot from Gentile, and a scramble put Smith inside of Gentile's guard. Smith was able to control the round with shots on the ground, and avoided a serious triangle submission attempt at the end of the fight to hold on for the decision.

Tommy Mcdonnell (A-Plus Academy) vs. Trey Ferguson (MMA Insititute)
Welterweight

Trey Ferguson of MMAI earned a TKO victory at 1:39 of the second round. After the fight opened with a huge takedown slam by Mcdonnell, Ferguson was able to weather the storm and pull out a hard fought win. After enduring a few body blows, Ferguson took control of the fight in the second round with solid kicking. After a scramble on the ground, Ferguson gained full mount position and began to strike until referee Jim West called a stoppage at 1:39.

Johnathan Evans (Sherridale Morrigan Boxing) vs. Louis Allen (Team Elite)
Middleweight

In a fight that quickly turned directions in the first round, Johanthan Evans was able to submit Louis Allen via rear naked choke at 2:01. After a fantastic takedown and mount by Allen to start the fight, Evans was able to escape and improve his position, landing effective blows on the ground. After a scramble on the ground, Evans attempted a guillotine that was thwarted by Allen, who was subsequently able to pass Evan's guard and gain full mount. Allen attempted a shoulder lock in which Evans escaped, but ended up giving his back in the process. Allen was able to close in the rear naked choke and submit Evans.

Coleman Tyson (Team Deadwood) vs. Sean Merritt (Kore Kombat)
Welterweight

In a fight that only lasted 45 seconds, Sean Merritt won in dominating fashion as he was able to submit Coleman Tyson via rear naked choke in the first round. After an initial flurry by both fighters, Merritt landed a take down and transitioned beautifully to Tyson's back. Not wasting anytime, he cinched in the rear naked choke to earn the Welterweight victory.

Boris Rakita (Steve Blackman's Fighting Systems) vs. Vamana Brown (MMA Institute)
Exhibition

In one of the top fights of the evening, Vamana Brown was able to win an intense bout via unanimous decision. After three incredible rounds, which featured hard strikes and kicks, the two fighters earned each other's respect and applause from the crowd.

Brown weighed in 15 lb less then Rakita for the exhibition match, but it was clear in the opening round that size did not matter. After an exciting high/low kick combo and take down from Brown in the opening minute, it looked as if Brown had the fight well in control. Rakita had other ideas as he was able to endure punishment including axe kicks and a back mount from Brown in which he was inside when Round 1 ended.

In Round two Rakita came out swinging, showing heart and landing several jabs and crosses to Brown's head. Another takedown by Brown put him in Rakita's guard, with an ensuing scramble again leading to axe kicks by Brown. Rakita was able to get back to his feet and land a big shot on Brown as the round came to a close.

What seemed like a fight Brown had squarely in control began to turn into an epic slug fest in the Third round, with both fighters squaring up and throwing haymaker punch after haymaker punch. The entire round both fighters stayed on their feet as they looked to land a knockout blow. Rakita landed several hard shots with Brown answering with a few of his own. When the fight finally ended, both fighters looked spent. Brown was awarded the unanimous decision, 30-28, 29-28, 29-28.

Michael Jordon (Team Rhino)  vs. Westwood Donnally (MMA Institute)
Fly Weight

In a brief but exciting fight, Westwood Donnally used effective jiu jitsu to gain a victory via armlock at 1:39 in the first round. After a nice shot and take down by Jordon, Donnally used a tight guard to bring his opponent close to him and avoid punches on the ground. Shooting his legs up high, Donnally transitioned into an armlock and rolled Jordon to his back, finishing the tight armbar on top and earning the decisive victory.

Lebyron Bryant (Black Fist) vs. Eric Marshman (Fightworks)
Lightweight
In another quick contest, Eric Marshman was able to submit Lebyron Bryan with a guillotine choke in the first round. After an initial flurry Bryant landed a big knee and a takedown and appeared to be in control. But a costly mistake allowed Marshman to grab hold of Bryant's neck and after it appeared Bryant would escape, Marshman finished the submission at 1:10 in round 1.

Chris Stickles (Ground Control) vs. Curtis Low (Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts)
Welterweight
Chris Stickles earned the first standing TKO of the night as he was able to grind down Curtis Low over 2 rounds. After intense striking in the first round and effective counter punching by Low, it appeared he began to tire headed into the second round. Big shots were landed throughout the fight by both fighters, with Low taking more of the damage.

Once the second round began, Low took big elbows from Stickles and a few knees. But Low proved he could take a punch, as he was able to counter and open a cut on Stickles. Eventually, Stickles punishing blows appeared to wear on Low, as he began to turn away from engagements near the fence. Stickles took advantage, landing big kicks and a huge right that warranted referee Mike King to call a stop to the bout at 2:39 in the second round, with Stickles emerging victorious.

Shawn Daughenbaugh (Steve Blackman's Fighting Systems) vs. Lee Synkowski (Baltimore BJJ)
Middleweight

Lee Synkowski used effective jiu jitsu to submit his opponent Shawn Daughenbaugh via rear naked choke at 2:30 of round 1. After a brief exchange on the feet, Synkowski was able to take the fight to the ground where he effectively transitioned from side mount to mount and then to Daughenbaugh's back, where he finished the fight with a near naked choke.

Scott Murphy (Carolina Combat) vs. Bryan Tevalt (Kore Kombat)
Lightweight

Sporting brutal strikes from the mount, Bryan Tevalt pounded his was to a convincing TKO victory in the first round of his bout with Scott Murphy. As soon as the fight began, Tevalt came out swinging, clinching Murphy and landing effective knees. After getting Murphy up against the fence, Tevalt took the fight to the ground, mounting Murphy immediately after the takedown. In a flurry of blows in which every punch connected, Tevalt was given the TKO victory at :50 into the first round.

Terrill Leech (Steve Blackman's Fighting Systems) vs. Danny Reeves (Team Rhino)
Light Heavyweight

In a fight where looks were deceiving, Terrill Leech earned a victory by TKO at :54 in round two. The more athletic looking Reeves appeared to have been hurt about half way through the first round following a tremendous takedown slam by Leech. After an effective double leg shot, Leech was able to lift Reeves fully of the ground and slam his entire weight on him. Though Reeves appeared to be controlling the pace of the fight before the takedown, he went back to his corner grimacing after the end of the first round.

When the second round began, it was clear Reeves was not 100% as he struggled to stay in his fight stance. After Leech landed several big shots he was able to take Reeves down and get to his back, where the ref called an end to the fight at :54 due to strikes from the back.

Allen Greenway (Superior Martial Arts) vs. Jake Young (MMA Institute)
Welterweight

In the fight of the evening, undefeated Jake Young was able to grind out a unanimous decision over the eccentric fighting style of Allen Greenway. Greenway, who is 6'5" and had a huge reach advantage over the 5'11" Young, sported an unorthodox fighting style to compliment his unusual look.

In Round 1, the fight began with a few good exchanges from both fighters, as Greenway attempted unusual high kicks and a spinning back fist. Young was able to clinch several times, but his attempts to knee Greenway fell short due to the height differential. Once separated, Young began to land effective leg kicks and foot jabs. At one point after landing a high leg kick, Greenway taunted Young and pointed to his leg.

As Young pushed the pace in round 1, it became clear this was not going to be an easy contest for the undefeated fighter. After a few good exchanges where it appeared Young did more damage than Greenway, Round 1 ended.

Round 2 featured more intense striking action, with Young landing a big elbow up against the fence. Greenway landed several shots of his own, but a leg kick attempt landed in Young's chest, with Young taking the fight to the ground and immediately going to Greenway's back. With Young sinking in a serious rear naked choke, Greenway was somehow able to escape the attempt and get out of Young's back mount. On the ground Young landed in Greenways guard and after a pass attempt backed away from Greenways long legs. Once back on the feet the two began to exchange blows again with Round 2 coming to a close.

Round 3 began with more striking action as the two combatants began to wear each other down, both causing bleeding from strikes. Young was able to control the pace in the round and get in close to Greenway as it seemed every exchange between the two did some sort of damage. The round ended without going to the ground, as both fighters showed wear from taking blows.

Young was awarded the unanimous decision, 30-28, 30-27, 30-27. When asked what the greatest challenge was of the fight, Young responded "Trying to get my knee up to that dude's head." The 3-0 Young was also complimentary and respectful of Greenway, remarking on his toughness.

Dustin Pague (Steve Blackman's Fighting Systems) vs. Khris Gonzalez (Linxx Academy)

GCA Title Fight – Lightweight Division

In the evening's main event Khris Gonzalez was able to win the GCA Lightweight Division belt in a convincing ground and pound style decision over Dustin Pague.

The fight started to intense strikes, but Gonzalez had other ideas as he avoided huge punches from Pague and took the fight to the ground, placing Pague against the cage and immediately beginning to pound away at him. Gonzalez was able to pin Pague down and do just enough damage to not have the fight stood back up, as he landed effective elbows. Almost the entire first round was fought inside Pague's guard.

Round 2 again opened with a striking flurry from Pague, this time with him landing effective leg kicks. Once again, Gonzalez was able to take Pague down and fight from inside Pague's guard. Employing the same strategy as the first round, Gonzalez continued to pound away from inside Pague's guard, landing some big elbows.

 
Round 3 again began with an exchange on the feet, with Pague again landing a big leg kick. Gonzalez shot in, this time with Paque attempting a serious guillotine attempt. But Gonzalez was able to weather the storm, and was right where he wanted the fight – in Pague's guard and up against the fence. Gonzalez now began to inflict damage as a cut opened up on Pague's forehead and blood poured onto the mat. After about 2 minutes of ground and pound, the third round finally ended. Gonzalez was awarded a unanimous decision 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 and the GCA Lightweight title.

For more information on upcoming Valhalla events visit, www.valhallafights.com or www.myspace.com/valhallafights.  More information on GCA can be found at www.gcafights.com.

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