FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Showcasing raw endurance, 44 soldiers across six weight classes clashed during Fort Irwin Fight Nights, a sprawling Army combatives tournament putting warrior spirit on full display.
Anchoring the event were martial arts legends: Carlos Machado, Natan Levy, Cynthia Rothrock, Silvio Simac, Vince Cecere, Dr. Bob Goldman, Daisy Lang, and Neil Farber.
Competitors navigated preliminary rounds under basic Level 1 grappling rules before advancing to championship rounds governed by intermediate Pancrase rules, allowing open-hand facial strikes alongside kicks and closed-hand body strikes.
Master Sgt. Bennett McKinnon, an Observer Coach/Trainer, noted the fighters' grit: “I was surprised that the majority of the fights went the distance,” McKinnon said. “There was a lot of really high intensity, especially when we got into the middle rounds.”
On the final morning, competitors received hands-on training and demonstrations from the celebrity guests that included Rothrock's "Scorpion Kick" and Simac’s lessons behind kicking techniques. Vince Cecere showed favor to the Military Police, ensuring the fighters and the audience understood the seriousness and professionalism of real-world fighting applications.
Master Machado provided direct instruction to fighters. “They did three hours non-stop, following instructions and being very diligent about applying the techniques,” Machado observed. “As a matter of fact, I saw some guys that were actually doing instruction training earlier this morning competing later in the evening, and they were showing some stuff that they learned that day. So what does that tell you? The troops here, they're like sponges. They're ready. The more you feed them, the more they're going to get.”
Visiting experts provided crucial feedback for the program. “These kids are still pretty inexperienced, but they make up for lack of experience with heart and drive and wanting to learn more,” Dr. Goldman observed. “They just need to start getting a little bit more technical instruction from the folks. But... if they've got the drive, they can be really good down the road.”
Machado offered his continued support: “I could never anticipate, leaving the shores of Rio and coming to America, that there would come a day I'd be at a military base watching an amazing display of skills from several of the officers and soldiers. It's amazing.”
By the championship rounds, intensity skyrocketed with Machado and Levy serving as guest judges. The champions are:
- Lightweight - Pfc. David Llamas
- Welterweight – Pfc. Victor Rivera
- Middleweight – 1st Lt. Ken Flemons
- Cruiserweight - Pvt. Isaiah Melville
- Light Heavyweight – Sgt. Jovanny Rivera
- Heavyweight – Sgt. 1st Class Clint R.D. Lewis
The event highlighted the Modern Army Combatives Program (MACP)—a four-tier system critical for battlefield survivability. (Soldiers interested in joining the combatives club can find flyers at local base gyms).
Regarding the event's success, Col. Steven L. Chadwick, Fort Irwin Garrison Commander, stated: “I’d be remis if I didn’t highlight the teamwork, from across the installation, that was necessary to make this event possible. The soldiers who fought in the competition wouldn’t have had such a great training event without the support of our aviators, Fort Irwin Combatives Team Coaches, MWR, PAO, Protocol, and the operations and emergency services teams.”
While Fort Irwin currently relies on mobile training teams, leadership aims to expand. “The current command is working hard. They’re going to continue to push this program, they’re going to continue to build it up,” McKinnon said. “Gonna get some new equipment, gonna start certifying some more individuals so we can actually start creating a legit club here that hopefully can start competing in—and really have a nice showdown at—the Lacerda Cup in the years to come.”
Rothrock summarized the legends' gratitude: “Big thank you to Vince Cecere for arranging our visit and teaching the fighters at Fort Irwin. Big thanks to the staff and military personnel for being the most gracious hosts and putting on an exciting, successful first-time Fight Night.”
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