News4 | mastersystem

Team Blitz Kicks off '09 with Victory at "The TieBreaker":

Posted By: The M.A.S.T.E.R. System Network

• Congratulations to Matt McDermott (1-0) and Team Blitz on a first round debut victory (via Rear Naked Choke) at "THE TIEBREAKER" inside the Fredericksburg Field House against fellow newcomer William Jersey Paine (0-1) (The Cave MMA). McDermott marched out to the cage in front of over 1,200 screaming spectators escorted by Team Blitz and a mob of U.M.A. students screaming there support. From the opening bell Matt continued to press the action with straight right hands forcing Paine to shoot in for take downs each time falling into tightly applied body triangles. Just over two minutes into the bout with McDermott controlling the majority of the fight from his back he was able to slip out behind Paine to back control and lock on a Rear Naked Choke forcing his opponent to tap 2:28 in the first round.

Reed Places 3rd at US Nationals 6 Days after MD Open:

Posted By: The M.A.S.T.E.R. System Network

• On April 25th, at Liberty University in Lynchburg Va. Team Blitz made an appearance at the 2009 Good Fight: U.S. Nationals. After a six hour trip down from Baltimore and a early wake up call the team was in the arena at 9:00am for registration and weigh-ins. The event started with the No-Gi Divisions which took over 5 hours to complete before the Gi competitors were able to get on the floor. Representing the M.A.S.T.E.R. System at the Nationals in the Men's Gi 150lbs-159lbs division was Ricky Reed who started his day with an impressive arm bar submission from bottom which set the tone for the division and gave Ricky momentum into the semi final rounds. In the semi finals Ricky went up against National Champion Travis List (Team RAM) who he was able to take down & attack the legs for a good portion of the bout, barely missing on a couple of straight leg locks and eventually pulling guard on the champ. From there List was slowly able to pass Ricky's guard and slip into a top mount position with a minute to go in the match allowing him to ride out the rest of the time and secure a 4-2 decision placing Ricky with the Bronze Medal. Congratulations to Ricky Reed on his U.S. Nationals Bronze Medal Victory.

Team Blitz Sweeps Event in the Cage at "Taste of Fury":

Posted By; The M.A.S.T.E.R. System Network

• Congratulations to Team Blitz and United Martial Arts on a clean 3-0 sweep at Taste of Fury on May 30th, inside the Virginia Sports Complex promoted by Barbarian Fight Club and sanctioned through the Global Combat Alliance. First up was Team Blitz newcomer Tony Benny debuting at lightweight against veteran wrestler Cody Harris (Rustburg Wrestling Center / Volk Fighting Systems). Right from the opening bell the two engaged in an all out battle for three straight rounds back and forth landing big right hands and elbows throughout the match, resulting in a 29-28 / 28-29 /29-28 split decision victory for Benny setting the tone and preparing the crowd for the rest of the night to come. Next up was Lt. Heavyweight Cameron Leopold squaring off against undefeated Heavyweight Louie Buttice (The Kennel MMA) making his debut at 205lbs. Leopold came out controlling the distance and pressing the action with his jab aggravating Buttice, frustrating him into shooting for a double leg. From there Cameron was able to capitalize pressing his back up against the cage throwing knees to the body and face to set up and sink in a standing guillotine choke with only 9 seconds remaining in the first round. Ending the evening scheduled for the Co-Main Event was Chris "The Black Demon" Lyles who was set to take on undefeated 6'5" Spr. Heavyweight Archie Ford (Independent Fighter). With less then an hour before his fight and his hands already wrapped / taped and signed off by the GCA. Big Chris was informed that his opponent was no where to be found in the building and that he must of left the arena for reasons unknown. The fight shortly after was scrapped from the card and Big Chris was unfortunately awarded a victory via Default.

Team Blitz Finishes Strong at The '09 "Maryland Open":

Posted By: The M.A.S.T.E.R. System Network

• Congratulations to United Martial Arts and all who showed up to support Team Blitz at the 27th Annual Maryland Open inside the Baltimore Travel Plaza (Best Western Conference Hall). Though everyone was exhausted from the MMA fights in Louisa Va. the night before and the long late-night ride home, the team managed to be at the plaza promptly at 8:00am for registration and weigh-ins. At the event Bernie Clafferty III kicked off the celebrations with a dominating grappling performance taking first place in the No-Gi Middleweight Division. Immediately followed by Ricky Reeds 20 second Submission of the Night Victory whom later lost in the Gi Lightweight finals 4-6 only seconds away from submitting his opponent via Triangle Choke. To finish off the day's events U.M.A.s youngest competitor Awesome Dawson Oberg made his Point Sparring Debut in the 9-10 Beginner division. Though being the smallest and lowest rank fighter in his bracket, he easily cruised through his opponents to a first place trophy winning every match before the 2 minute time limits had expired.

Team Blitz Wins it All at the Maryland Super Showdown:

Posted By: The M.A.S.T.E.R. System Network

• On Saturday June 6th, inside the MBK Sports Complex at the College of Notre Dame, Team Blitz made it's return to the Maryland Super Showdown Championships to test there skills against some of the premier Martial Arts Academies in the area. First up was the Weapons Divisions showcasing U.M.A's own Steven Guy putting his "Super Showdown Weapons Title" on the line against an entirely new field of challengers. Steven's routine easily won him his division a second consecutive year and advanced him into the Grand Champions round to face off against the other weapons division winners. Later on in the Grand Champions Round he not only managed to defend his Grand Champion Title but was able to slightly top his judges score of a 9.97 from last year with a 9.98 crowning him once again the Maryland Super Showdown Weapons Grand Champion. Also competing at the tournament that day was Team U.M.A.'s youngest member "Awesome" Dawson Oberg coming off dominating performances at the Maryland Open & J.W. Spring Classics the two months prior in preparation. Competing in the Beginner 9-10 Point Sparring Division Dawson was able to defeat all three of his opponents 7-4 / 7-2 / 7-4 each before the 2 minute time limit had expired winning another first place trophy and later on being awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award for his role model actions & demeanor throughout the event.

Page #3