Get ready for the thrilling Testudo Bellum 2025, a Medieval Combat USA event happening this weekend at Buana Vista Aquatic Area in Bakersfield, California. Hosted by the Champion of Swords, a nonprofit organization dedicated to historical recreation and education, this melee and dueling event will see seven teams from the Pacific region battling it out under the California sun. Excitement is in the air as we await the clash of these formidable teams.
In this article, we'll be delving into the past achievements of each participating team, providing a comprehensive look at their journey in the sport and where to follow their future endeavors.
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Team Name: Ordo Draconis
Team Captain: Alexander Casillas
Fighting out of: San Diego, California
Current Record: 1-5 (MCUSA)
Previous Year's Record: 14-7 (MCUSA)
While Ordo Draconis has a long history in the sport of being one of the most dominant teams in the West, their current season is off to a rocky start. In the round-robin tournament Carolina Carnage Fest earlier this year, Ordo Draconis scored only a single victory against the Iron Lions Vanguard, defeating the Gold Tier newcomers in a clean two-round sweep. But suffered defeat against all others, including the other Gold Tier newcomers, Rat Pack, and Company of the Pale Horse.
Yet, early-season struggles are nothing new to this veteran team. In fact, Ordo Draconis went 3-5 at the season opener in 2024 but bounced back with a 6-0 run at the Ventura Melee Megabowl later that year. California Classic 2024 also ended in an undefeated run for Ordo Draconis, with victories over many of the teams that will attend this weekend. However, at last year's Champion of Swords event, Rise of an Empire, Ordo Draconis struggled with consistency, suffering defeat against both the Warpigs and the Soldados.
At Testudo Bellum, Ordo Draconis will be making their first tournament appearance back on the West Coast since Carolina Carnage Fest. The team is eager to reassert their dominance over the Pacific region, showcasing the complex team tactics they are renowned for.
Ordo Draconis Social Media
Team Name: Phoenix Blood Eagles
Team Captain: Rick Thom
Fighting out of: Phoenix, Arizona
Current Record: 2-2 (MCUSA)
Last Year's Record: 6-5 (MCUSA) 1-2 (AMCF)
The Phoenix Blood Eagles took the field earlier this year at Carolina Carnage Fest in the Silver Tier division. With punishing ax strikes and deft fieldwork, they achieved victory over Imperium and the 2023 Arnolds Classic Silver Tier 1st place medalists, Twin Cities Wyverns. The Blood Eagles made a valiant effort against Bastion, who were coming off a 10-4 season, but after three rounds, they were forced to concede to the East Coast team. They also squared off against the Colorado Wardens in another back-and-forth, three-round brawl but could not get the better of the Wardens, who would finish 2nd in the Silver Tier.
Testudo Bellum puts them against multiple Californian teams who have gotten the better of them in the previous season. Both Ordo Draconis and the Santa Barbra Soldados claimed victory over the Blood Eagles last season, a grudge that this Arizona team will be looking to settle this weekend. Known for their lightning-quick agility and hard-hitting axeshots, when the Blood Eagles take the field, be sure not to blink.
Phoenix Blood Eagles Social Media
Team Name: Soldados
Team Captain: Mark Sanders
Fighting out of: Santa Barbara, California
Current Record: 0-0
Last Year's Record: 8-5 (MCUSA)
Founded in 2016 by former Los Angeles Golden Knights Lance Hoffman and Chris Minerd, the Santa Barbara Soldados remained a small chapter with only three fighting members until early 2020, when an influx of new fighters doubled the team's size. Now led by Mark Sanders, a former semi-pro combat sambo fighter, this California-based team sports some of the top fighters from the West Coast on their roster.
The Soldados had a friendly rivalry with Ordo Draconis last season, going back and forth throughout three tournaments. Their first match saw Ordo Draconis take the fight at the Ventura Melee Megabowl in a two-round sweep, but at Rise of an Empire, the Soldados struck back with a two-round victory of their own. The two teams met for the final time in the season at California Classic 2024. After a dominant performance in the first round, the Soldados looked like they would unseat Ordo Draconis from the Pacific throne. Ordo Draconis would rally, however, and win the next two rounds to achieve a decisive victory over the Santa Barbara team.
With a new tournament season underway, the Soldados will retake the field against their rivals, eager to claim victory under the California sun. Known for their brutal teamwork, tenacity, and high-caliper fighters, these soldiers in steel will be trying to make short work of the competition this weekend.
Santa Barbara Soldados Social Media
Team Name: LA Golden Knights
Team Captain: Brian Del Gaudio
Fighting out of: Los Angeles, California
Current Record: 1-1 (KFL)
Last Year's Record: 1-3 (MCUSA)
One of the original three Armored Combat League (ACL) chapters, the LA Golden Knights, formed in 2014, with their name inspired by California's nickname, the "Golden State." This team has a long and storied history within the sport, with multiple members filling out the IMCF Team USA roster since 2018.
The LA Golden Knights have been focusing on rebuilding in recent years, training their newest members, and keeping their veterans sharp for the upcoming tournament season. They also host the profight series Golden Ring, which is known for booking some of the most esteemed fighters in the community in electrifying Armored MMA performances.
Recruitment and team-building was the story of this California team last year. With a recent competitive return at the inaugural Knight Fighting League (KFL) event earlier this year in January, the LA Golden Knights seek a return to the team's golden era.
LA Golden Knights Social Media
Team Name: Order of the Gauntlet and Rose
Team Captain: Darrian Dukes
Fighting out of: Fresno, California
Current Record: 0-0
Last Year's Record: 1-14 (MCUSA)
Order of the Gauntlet and Rose, a team that made its first showing at Carolina Carnage 2024, faced off against numerous established teams in a round-robin event, including the Iron Lions Vanguard and Knyaz Fire. Despite achieving only one victory over the Detroit Fight Club last year, their unwavering determination and 'no quit' attitude have won the hearts of many in the community. This young team, time and time again, squared off against some of the best in the sport, including the Warpigs and Ordo Draconis, giving it their all against these legendary teams.
With a solid year of training and experience, the Order of the Gauntlet and Rose have bolstered their roster with fresh new faces and prestigious veterans of the sport. Dominant fighters such as Issac "Knight Nurse" Ellis and Dylan Sweeney appear on their BI roster, looking to inject chaos into the mix this weekend.
Order of the Guantlet and Rose Social Media
Fresh Challengers
The Manticores and Death Dealers, absent from the season last year, are set to make their debut this weekend, promising to bring a new landscape to the sport. With both teams raring to go, we eagerly await their performances this weekend and beyond.
Team Name: Manticores
Team Captain: Joshua Scardine
Fighting out of: San Luis Obispo, California
Current Record: 0-0
The Manticores were absent from the 2024 competitive season, with their last appearance at the 2023 Venture Melee Megabowl. Still, they have been anything but idle in the sport. Frequent training camps and exhibitions at Renaissance Faires and PolyCon have kept their fighters honed and ready for a fight, and a strong recruitment drive has bolstered their numbers for the upcoming tournament season.
This weekend, the Manticores will be up against some of the toughest teams in the region, and they'll be looking to carve out their own piece of glory on the battlefield.
Manticores Social Media
Team Name: Death Dealers
Team Captain: Triston Tinoco
Fighting out of: Las Vegas, Nevada
Current Record: 0-0
Established in 2019, this independent team from Las Vegas makes its first appearance in the competitive circuit this weekend at Testudo Bellum 2025.
While the Death Dealers have been absent from most leagues, they have been busy with numerous training events and exhibitions, and several of their fighters have competed in profight or dueling circuits.
They'll be put to the test this weekend, but this Las Vegas team will go all in and search for glory.
Death Dealers Social Media
Battle of the Pacific
Testudo Bellum 2025 is almost here, and it’s shaping up to be an action-packed weekend you won’t want to miss! From the veterans of Ordo Draconis to the fresh energy of the Manticores and Death Dealers, there’s no shortage of fierce competition. Each team is bringing their best to the event, and we can’t wait to see who comes out on top.
This is more than just a tournament; it’s a chance to watch history in the making as old rivals face off and new teams make their mark.
Be sure to follow the action this weekend at Buana Vista Aquatic Area and join the conversation online. Who are you cheering for? What moments are you most excited about? Let’s make some noise and support these incredible fighters as they give it their all!
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