Modern Gladiator Fighting Championships
It has been years since Team Hybrid has competed in our own back yard. Now back with a vengeance, Team Hybrid went undefeated at the Surfside Inn at the waterfront. 3 rookies, and one veteran came with one goal in mind: “Bring the Heat!” was the command of Coach Grant, and team hybrid did not disappoint!
First up for the home team was team rookie and BJJ phenom Vincent “Hoo Ya” Borden taking on Independent fighter Justin Fowler at 160lbs. Using his newly honed striking skills, Vincent was able to close the distance quickly on the ill prepared Justin Fowler, taking him down against the cage, and taking top position in half guard. After securing a crucifix head and arm control, “Vinny” (as he is known by Team Hybrid members) began to reign down a brutal barrage of punches and elbows, forcing his opponent to give up his back. the fight was stopped at 48 seconds into round 1 via strikes.
Next up was Shawn Steen, making his MMA debut and coming off an undefeated Muay Thai fight streak of 3-0-1 at 135 lbs. His opponent was independent James Moose who proved to be little match for Steen’s superior Muay Thai skills. Shawn began his onslaught by chopping Moose’s legs with brutal thai kicks, eventually working up to his body and his head with the same ferocity. The highlight of the fight was Shawn’s perfectly timed head kick to counter Moose’s spinning back fist, dropping his to the cage canvas. Shawn flagged his to stand back up, rather than exchange in a grappling match, and the crowd went wild! When Moose rose back to his feet, Shawn continued his vicious onslaught by letting his hands fly, pinning Moose against the cage, and eventually dropping Moose for a second time and ending the fight a minute into round 1.
3rd for Team Hybrid was Kellen “The Sting” Ray, also making his MMA debut at the middleweight division. His opponent was independent Shaun Atkinson, an aggressive and stocky 185er who was adamant to close the distance on Kellen, nullifying Ray’s impressive reach.After a series of take down attempts and reversals, Kellen ended up in Atkinson’s half guard, passing to the mount position with ease. Atkinson held on out of desperation, keeping Kellen from posturing up. Kellen was able to make enough space to drop a vicious elbow, softening Atkinson’s grip and creating a bloody mess of a cut above his opponent’s eye! Like a shark on his prey, Kellen began to drop elbow after elbow until his opponent turned his back, giving Kellen his neck for a rear choke victory in about 2 minutes of round 1.
In the main event of the night, our very own team vet Jody “The Work Horse” Morgan fought VBAMA’s 6-2 warrior Jon Stewart for the Modern Gladiator Welterweight Title. What occurred was a 15 minute battle that easily was fight of the night against the 2 most powerful 170 ponders in Hampton Roads!
Each round began as a classic Muay Thai battle, as each fighter chopped at he others legs with shin kicks in an attempt to break the base and the will of their opponent. Jody’s impeccable timing and power easily one this exchange. When Stewart would lunge in for the big punch, Jody would chopped his legs making it difficult for on to walk as the rounds crept by. A big jump flying knee from Stewart took the fight to the clinch, and the jockeying for positon began.each worked to pin the other against the cage, only to be reversed a few seconds later. Finally got in on Stewart’s legs and launched him with a beautiful sky double. Stewart would attempt to submit Morgan from his back, only to be pummeled by Morgans barrage of elbows, punches and hammer fists. Stewart’s crafty guard threatened with leg locks, arml ocks and triangles, keeping Morgan on the verge of submission trouble early. Morgan managed to defend submission after submission, passing Stewart’s guard, and pounding him out from cross side and half guard for the duration of the fight, slowly chipping away at Stewart’s power meter.
Round 2 began with Jody taking down Stewart early and continuing his top game dominance. A failed arm lock attempt from Morgan placed Stewart on top for the first, and only time of the fight, only to have Jody scramble up the cage back to his feet. Another brief exchange on the feet ended the round.
Going into round 3, the crowd was roaring as these two warriors faced each other for a final round. Both looked fatigued as they touched gloves and circled each other wearily. The round started slowly as Jody continued to chop at the battered leg of Stewart and Jon seemed to look for the one punch knockout to seal the deal. Stewart persisted to stay away from Morgans powerful clinch to no avail. Morgan counter punched his way into the clinch for a final time to score another take down off of the cage. Landing in half guard, Stewart immediately went for a foot lock in a final attempt to win the fight, only to have the attempt stuffed by Jody’s impressive defense and ground and pound skills. the bell sounded with both fighters swinging at each other, Stewart from his back, Morgan from the top.
The fight was over. the crowd went wild! Jody Morgan won by unanimous decision and was crowned the new Modern Gladiator Welterweight Champion in his 3rd MMA fight!
It was truly a monumental moment for the entire academy. It was an honor to fight in our own backyard again in front of our loyal students and staff. Thank you all for coming out and supporting us. We fight in your honor.
Go Team Hybrid!
