Dave Kaplan Won His WKA US MMA Title

Welterweight Title match in Atlanta, Georgia. Masters Lloyd Irvin and Jeff Ruth cornered Dave on the night of the event. On Friday September 16th, 2005, for the first time in the US, a major Professional Boxing Promotion, Guilty Boxing, held an event which included Mixed Martial Arts. The card was headlined with top Ultimate Fighting Stars such as Shawn Sherk & Din Thomas. In the main event of the evening, Dave Kaplan (5 wins 0 losses) took on Atlanta's top Mixed Martial Arts Fighter Steve Headen (16 wins/3 losses) out of Velocity Kickboxing for the WKA 175lb Title. Headen generally fights at 185lbs and is the current ISCF World Champion. Headen was favored to win by submission in one or two rounds. Dave came down to Atlanta with the intentions of making sure they knew his name after this fight, and he proved it during his performance. Atlanta fans were taken by surprise. Gwinneth Arena boasted a crowd attendance of 4,500 people!

The fight started off with both fighters engaging in a striking battle which Dave easily had the better hand so Headen attempted to use his Brazilian Jiujitsu Black Belt skills. Dave continued to punish Headen throughout the first round with viscious kicks to the legs and body of Headen. Between the first and second round Master Instructor Lloyd Irvin told Dave it was time to turn it on and Dave followed directions accordingly.

The first three minutes of the second round continued to see Dave dominating the striking and the clinch. Headen found himself being desperate and began jumping onto his back to attempt ground control. Every time Headen jumped onto his back, Dave made him pay with viscious leg kicks onto Headen's thighs. Headen had one more desperate attempt to take the fight to the ground with about two minutes remaining. This time, Kaplan followed him down punishing Steve with non-stop punches to his face. Headen's corner quickly saw their fighter in trouble and threw in the towel for a TKO victory for Team Lloyd Irvin.

Dave Kaplan thanks everyone from the Camp Springs and Arlington school for the support and preparation that made him become the new WKA 175lb MMA Champion. The fight is supposed to be televised on Pay Per View in approximately two weeks. We promise to keep you all informed when exactly this will happen.

Thanks: Story written by Team Lloyd Irvin Arlington