Fight Club OC and Uppercut Promotions brought a historic event to the Hangar at the OC Fair & Events Center in Costa Mesa, CA on October 22nd. The event was called International War Games. It featured six bouts and all of them, for the first time in Fight Club OC history, took place in the discipline of MMA. It also featured the United States Army vs. the best from Army’s around the world. It was truly a great night providing only the ferocious action that Fight Club OC can bring. All bouts were scheduled for 3 rounds.
Opening the show were featherweights Faustino Alonzo (0-1), who was debuting, vs. David Rojas (2-2). Alonzo was representing his brothers and sisters in the United States Marines while Rojas was backed up by the Army of Equador. Both combatants were moving around the ring, having a bit a feeling out process. Then Rojas landed a left hand right on the button and it was good night to the great warrior Alonzo. The total time? 21 seconds.
Battle number two saw Edith Gutierrez (1-0) making her debut for the US Marines against the Czech Republic’s Daniela Aguayo (0-2). These two strawweights engaged in a spirited affair from the start. There was good back and forth action mostly on their feet, but they did go to the ground a bit. Then Aguayo really started to bleed badly in the second. She fought hard but there was just too much blood everywhere, and the doctor called the fight before the start of round 3. Gutierrez was victorious by TKO.
Bout number three was in the featherweight division and pitted United States Marine James Settle (5-8) against Brandon Carrillo (5-5) who was representing the Special Forces of Mexico. Settle and Carrillo mixed it up really well over the the first round. Each combatant gave as good as they got with no fighter having the decided edge. Then in the second Carrillo seized the opportunity with a volley of strikes. They went to the ground and Carrillo submitted him with a choke and it was, sadly, good night for Settle.
In bout four, we moved back to the strawweight class and witnessed United States Marine Leslie Hernandez (6-4) take on the Liberation of Cuba’s Katie Perez (7-12). These two warriors went at it from the moment the bell sounded. Unfortunately for Perez, who was fighting to honor her grandma, she was just a step behind and Hernandez took advantage of it. Using a lot of ground and pound, she eventually stopped the tough Perez before the combatants could see the end of round 1.
For bout five we moved to the lightweight class as these combatants were competing for the Tequila Mandala Young Champions belt! Ryan Fillingame (6-6) of the United States Air Force went head to head with Jose Aguayo (6-2) who was representing the Army of Mexico. Both of these fighters gave it everything they had for 3 rounds of solid action. There were moments in each and every round that either Aguayo or Fillingame could’ve taken it. In the end, Aguayo was just a little bit busier and that’s what got him the decision and the Tequila Mandala Young Champions belt.
Lastly, in the International War Games Championship bout, the United States’ Army’s Patrick Benson (8-11) fought the Russian Army’s Adlan Mamaev (8-2). This was probably the second best KO of the night as these two fighters seemed ready to go the distance… It seemed. Benson looked to be getting the best of the first round and then Mamaev landed a shot that dropped him. Benson rose quickly but Mamaev was on him and the bout was waved over shortly thereafter.
Fight Club OC returns to The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, Ca on December 10th for our final show of 2026! Can you believe the year is over already?! Close out the year right and get your tickets NOW as everyone knows this is where fights are ALWAYS guaranteed!
Visit FightClubOC.com to get your tickets because, so far, every show for 2026 has been a sellout!!
