In our last team highlights article, we'll examine the teams in the Gold Tier at Carolina Carnage. These teams are competing for a spot on Team USA for the BI World Cup at the Visegrád Place in Hungary in July this year. As a disclaimer, the numbers preceding some team names show their ranking in the BI league, and some teams are tied for a spot. We'll showcase each team, their performances last season, and where to follow them for the upcoming season.
Team Name: Dominus
Captain: Daniel Krug
Fighting out of: Various
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 22-0
BI Ranking: 1
Dominus is the ideal picture of what is known as a "Superteam" in the sport. The Dominus roster pulls from nationwide and frequently has international fighters filling out their line. Because of this, some in the community debate on whether Dominus should be considered a US team or a world team, but their frequent participation in stateside
tournaments have us considering them as a US team due to their influence in the country.
Last season, Dominus went undefeated in the three MCUSA events they attended. With 1st place finishes at Carolina Carnarge 2024, Pacific Cup, and the Texas run Whacksgiving 2024. This 22-fight win streak is partly due to Dominus' knack for perfecting the meta of the sport and their star-studded roster. Many of the fighters on the Dominus line are captains or head trainers of their teams, many of whom have had moments of glory. The Santa Barbra Soldados, for example, from which Dominus fighters Joseph Brandt and Alexander Das hail, was 8-5 in last year's season, including a victory over the #6 Ordo Draconis.
Many members of the Dominus team frequently run Buhurt training camps throughout the year. These events sell out quickly, as fighters from all over the country come to learn all they can from members of this Superteam.
The Dominus team has been the dominant force in the sport since its inception and is always picked as a favorite to win. This year, they'll be looking to continue the trend as they compete for a spot on Team USA next week.
Team Name: Dallas Warlords
Captain: Brennon Friedman
Fighting out of: Texas
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 10-4
BI Ranking: 2
The Dallas Warlords are a powerhouse team from the heart of Texas. They are based out of the prestigious Warlord Combat Academy and frequently fill the roster of Team USA in both the BI and IMCF leagues. Unfortunately, the Dallas Warlords Carnage run last year ended in tragedy. Team injuries left the Warlords with too few fighters to continue participating, and they decided to withdraw after tough losses to the #1 Dominus and #3 Knyaz USA.
They came back in full force at the Barbarians-run Melee Tournament Cincinnati Siege. They cleared their pool without losses and continued to an undefeated run to secure the first-place medal. In the process, they avenged the loss they suffered earlier that year against Knyaz USA, beating them in two rounds.
Later, at Whacksgiving 2024, the Dallas Warlords defeated The New Order and the San Jacinto Knights in two round sweeps. Unfortunately, a loss against the #1 Dominus and a tough rematch against the #3 Knyaz USA had the Warlords finishing with a 2-2 record. Not to be deterred, the Dallas Warlords attended the AMCF Qualifiers for a shot at IMCF Team USA. With not one but two Warlords teams finishing on top of the podium, Texas resolved its role at the top.
Although some of the Warlords' roster is fighting with Dominus at Carolina Carnage Fest, the Warlords are retaining many of their elite fighters for the melee. One of these fighters is AMCF president Dondre Cyrus, who will be taking the field with Dallas as they look to take out the competition.
Dallas Warlords Social Media
Team Name: Knyaz USA
Captain: Andrew Mccabe
Fighting out of: Michigan
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 18-3
BI Ranking: 3
Knyaz USA fights out of the illustrious Knyaz Medieval Fighting Club and is the partner team of the Ukrainian-based MCF Knyaz. They is led by Andrew Mccabe, one of the top center-position fighters in the sport.
At Carolina Carnage last year, Knyaz USA tore through the competition, defeating numerous teams on their way to the podium. Victories over the #2 Dallas Warlords, North Blood, Northern Wolves, and multiple other teams had Knyaz demonstrating its knack for quick maneuvers and deadly striking. While Knyaz ended up finishing in second place behind #1 Dominus, their match lasted all three rounds as Knyaz drew blood on the Superteam.
Cinanatii Siege saw Knyaz USA go undefeated in their pool, achieving victory over the Lexington Lycans, NYC Armored Combat, and #7 Company of the Pale Horse. The bracket rounds saw them defeat the #6 Warpigs on the way to the finals, where a rematch with the Dallas Warlords awaited them. It was a tough fight for Knyaz USA, but the Dallas Warlords ended up getting the better of them for the first-place finish.
However, Knyaz USA got another shot at the Dallas Warlords at Whacksgiving 2024. Knyaz USA went 4-1 in the round robin tournament, defeating both The New Order and the San Jacinto Knights. Dominus handed them a disappointing defeat, but they settled the score against the Dallas Warlords in a back-and-forth three-round brawl that ended in a Knyaz USA victory.
As Carolina Carnage draws near, Knyaz USA is ready to take the field and outmaneuver the competition again. Led by their danger-quick captain, Knyaz USA is known for their speedy flankers and steady rail fighters. More than a few teams have been taken out in just a few seconds, as they suddenly find Knyaz fighters in their backfield, creating chaos. As the only US team that took a round off Dominus last year, their long-awaited rematch on the world stage will send sparks flying.
Knyaz USA Social Media
Team Name: Rat Pack
Captain: Ethan Watt
Fighting out of: Idaho
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 16-2
BI Ranking: 5
Our first newcomer to the Gold Tier at Carolina Carnage Fest, Rat Pack, had their MCUSA debut as a team just last year at Carolina Carnage 2024. They went undefeated in their pool, beating out Bastion, Tidewater Dogs of War, Gladiators NYC, and the Portland Reavers in dominant performances. However, they faced off against the #7 Iron Lions Vanguard in their first round of the brackets. It was a close fight that lasted all three rounds, but with two Iron Lions standing at the end of the melee, Rat Pack ended their Carnage run at 5-1.
The Rat Pack has been busy since then, attending various events in their region, including the ACW Northwest Regionals and their self-run Idaho Armored Combat Invitational. Their MCUSA record increased by three wins from these events, with victories over the Montana Sun Eaters, Order of the Silver Rose, and the Peace Breakers.
Their next major event was the round-robin melee tournament, the Pacific Cup. Rat Pack went 7-1 in the tournament, having a breakout performance against several well-known teams. Rat Pack defeated the Vagabonds, Cerberus, and even the #6 Warpigs on their way to 2nd place, just behind Dominus.
With an overall record of 16-2, Rat Pack is the best newcomer in the Gold Tier. This is something that the other new teams might take exception to, as Iron Lions Vanguard defeated Rat Pack in the Quarterfinals of the Silver Tier last year. Luckily for us, this year's Gold Tier is a full round-robin, and we'll see the rematch settled at the end of this month.
Rat Pack Social Media
Team Name: Ordo Draconis
Captain: Alexander Casillas
Fighting out of: California
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 14-7
BI Ranking: 6
Founded in 2016, Ordo Draconis is one of the oldest North American teams in Buhurt. Not only are they still active, with a long list of previous accolades, but they are also highly competitive, with many of their members frequently populating the rosters of Team USA.
Yet Ordo Draconis had a rough start to their season last year at Carolina Carnage 2024, with a record of 3-5 in the round-robin tournament. Decisive victories against England-based Northern Wolves, the San Jacinto Knights, and the Australian Berserkers team showed that Ordo Draconis still belonged in the Gold Tier. However, losses against the other teams in the pool, including against their California"rival" team, the #6 Warpigs, hinted that Ordo Draconis would need to put in more work.
At the Ventura Melee Megabow, Ordo Draconis struck back in the pouring rain with an undefeated run, going 6-0 in the round-robin melee event. Defeating the Blood Eagles, the Soldados, the Order of the Gauntlet and Rose, and all others to a first-place finish. They also evened the score against the Warpigs, beating the brawler team in a two-round victory.
But later in the year at Rise of an Empire 2024, Ordo Draconis struggled again with consistency. Suffering tough defeats against the Soldados and the Warpigs, Ordo Draconis settled for third that day with their only victory against the LA Golden Knights. The veteran team returned to the drawing board in preparation for their next event, less than a month away.
In the round-robin event, California Classic 2024 had Ordo Draconis once again square off against the Warpigs and Soldados. The almost decade-old team here demonstrated why they should never be counted out. Ordo Draconis went undefeated that day, beating out their "rivals" in back-and-forth fights that lasted all three rounds.
They are back in the Gold Tier again at Carolina Carnage Fest, but with inconsistent performances against some of the regional teams, Ordo Draconis will be looking to make a winning statement. As one of the top West Coast teams in the nation, fans should be eager to see the Californians fight for a spot on the podium this year and beyond.
Ordo Draconis Social Media
Team Name: Company of the Pale Horse
Captain: Brandon Sauder
Fighting out of: Various
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 17-11
BI Ranking: 7
Company of the Pale Horse is a new team of some of the rowdiest fighters in the sport. Built from a creed similar to Ordo Obelios, this group of once-eternal mercs have bonded over their love of axes and dad rock and caused as much mayhem as possible on the list.
Carolina Carnage 2024 was this team's first appearance on the Buhurt stage, and they were not expected to go far in their pool. But devastating performances against Twin Cities Wyverns and the Cincinnati Barbarians, including a come-from-behind victory against Cerberus, Company of the Pale Horse, made their presence known. While losses against the eventual first and second-place winners Berserkers and Knyaz Fire kept them from the podium, the Company marched home with their sights set on the next event.
Grapes of Wrath in Culpepper, Virginia, later in the year, had the Company of the Pale Horse achieve their first hardware as a team. They won over Atlanta Valor and the #7 Iron Lions Vanguard on their way to a third-place finish behind Bastion and the #4 Executioners.
The Company had their breakout performance at Cincinnati Siege 2024. Earlier in the day, the Company had advanced from their pool with a 3-1 record, beating out the Lexington Lycans, NYC Armored Combat, and Imperium while losing the fight against the #3 Knyaz USA. Their bracket run saw them defeat the Iron Lions Vanguard again in a three-round battle but lost against the eventual first-place finishers, the Dallas Warlords. This placed Company of the Pale Horse into the bronze medal match against the #6 Warpigs. The two brawling teams fought for an extended four rounds, and when the dust settled, the Company took the victory.
At their last event in the season at the Tournament of the Tower, Company of the Pale Horse again finished third. Picking up wins over the Tidewater Dogs of War, 'wesome 'possums, and the Iion Lions Vanguard, but suffering defeat against the Executioners and the Canadian North Blood.
Carolina Carnage Fest marks the Company's first year as a team and one of the newest teams to enter the Gold Tier this year. The team has grown so much that they even have a sibling team in the form of Silver Tier competitors Pale Riders. With a heavy focus on axe-centric attacks and blitz plays, Company of the Pale Horse seeks to bring a new look to the landscape of the Gold Tier.
Company of the Pale Horse Social Media
Team Name: Iron Lions Vanguard
Captain: Kevin Leclerc
Fighting out of: Northern Virginia
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 13-10
BI Ranking: 7
The Iron Lions Vanguard is the last newcomer to the Gold Tier this year, but this pride of fighters is full of Buhurt veterans ready to make a statement.
At Carolina Carnage 2024, the Iron Lions Vanguard finished third behind Berserkers and Knyaz Fire. They advanced from their pool with victories over DFC, Atlanta Valor, and 'wesome 'possums and fought to the semifinals of the brackets. There, they defeated the Georgia-based Bastion team and the #6 Rat Pack but lost a hard-fought battle against the Berserkers, which ended their Carnage run at third place last year.
At their self-run event, Grapes of Wrath 2024, the Iron Lions Vanguard struggled to establish a foothold in the muddy terrain of the field. They beat out their newbie team, the Iron Lions Legion and the Forsaken, to get a shot in the medaling pools. However, tough defeats from the #4 Executioners, Bastion, and the #7 Company of the Pale Horse kept them from going home with any hardware that day.
Cincinnati Siege had them even score against Knyaz Fire and pick up victories over the St Louis Legion of Honor and the Cincinnati Barbarians. They again entered the bracket rounds, eager to settle the score against some of the other teams they were set to face. However, a loss from the #6 Warpigs and a tough three-round defeat from Company of the Pale Horse kept the Iron Lion Vanguard from reaching the podium.
Their last event of the season was at the Tournament of the Tower, where they faced off against six other teams, including a few of their rivals from earlier. The Iron Lions Vanguard secured wins over the Tidewater Dogs of War, Imperium, and 'wesome 'possums but could not find victory anywhere else. Tough losses from the Executioners, the Canadian team North Blood, and a brutal 4-round defeat from the Company of the Pale Horse ended their season.
Iron Lions Vanguard has been hard at work training their newer fighters as they sharpen the skills of their veterans. Overseas competition at Way of Honor and frequent team practices and scrimmages have kept the Iron Lions sharp, and they are ready to prove they have what it takes to be on Team USA.
Iron Lions Vanguard Social Media
Team Name: North Blood
Captain: Joshua Friars
Fighting out of: Ottawa, Canada
Last Year's MCUSA Record: 10-5
At Carolina Carnage 2024, North Blood went 4-4 in the round-robin, beating out several established teams in Buhurt. Ordo Draconis, San Jacinto Knights, the Australian Berserkers team, and more all fell to the Canadian team. They were kept from the podium due to losses against the Warpigs, Executioners, Knyaz USA, and Dominus, but the crumpled armor they left in their wake certainly made a statement.
Their only other event as a team was the Tournament of the Tower 2024, where they finished in second place behind the Executioners while making short work of the other teams in the round-robin. Company of the Pale Horse, 'wesome 'possums, and the Iron Lions Vanguard suffered defeat against the Canadians.
North Blood only fought twice last season, which is why they remained unranked in the BI league, but their inactivity should not be confused for any kind of weakness. The Canadian teams have some of the best fighters on the continent, and a good portion of the fighters will be on North Blood this year. With heavy hitters like Pierre Dion and Ryan Coombs on their roster, North Blood will be looking to leave some more crumbled armor behind them as they fight for glory and gold this week.
North Blood Social Media
That wraps up our highlights of teams attending Carolina Carnage Fest this year. If you missed our other team highlights, you can check them out at the bottom of the article or our event hub. As a new year of Buhurt begins, we hope to maintain this website as your news source for the sport. Join us again in the future as more events are announced for 2025.
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