April 18th, 2026

​Starfighter 2026: A Night of Champions in Fishersville, Virginia
This past weekend, fighters from across the country converged on Fishersville, Virginia for Starfighter 2026—a showcase of elite talent, fierce competition, and unforgettable moments. The festivities kicked off Friday evening with a series of Championship Exhibition Matches, pitting Virginia’s finest against some of the best fighters in the nation.

Kennedy vs. Gordon — Precision vs. Defense Kevin Kennedy and Matthew Gordon opened the night with a nail-biting contest. Kennedy fought with calculated aggression, consistently applying pressure while staying just outside of Gordon’s defensive comfort zone. Quick leg shots paired with sharp uppercuts allowed Kevin to control the pace.
Gordon, known for his strong defense and crisp footwork, answered with several beautiful parry-ripostes, but couldn’t quite close the gap.
Result: Kevin Kennedy wins 2-0

Jerome vs. Litvin — Adjustments and Resolve Next up, Kristi Jerome faced Katriel Litvin of Kyber Kai Academy in a bout defined by adaptability and grit. Kristi came out strong, landing precise strikes that slowed Litvin early.
Katriel, however, made key adjustments—utilizing lateral movement and exceptional ring awareness to shift momentum. Once she found her rhythm, she never looked back.
Result: Katriel Litvin wins 2-0

Cameron vs. Sprague — A Battle of Timing Andy “Mr. Fabulous” Cameron squared off against Michael Sprague in a technical duel of positioning and timing. Sprague edged out the first match with well-placed wrist shots.
Cameron responded in the second with aggressive pressure and near-perfect distance control, forcing a decisive third match. In the final seconds, trailing 5-4, Andy launched a bold sliding attack—only to be met with a perfectly timed counter to the head.
Result: Michael Sprague wins 6-4 and takes the series

Cole-Cameron vs. Pritchard — Clash of Titans In one of the night’s most anticipated matchups, Women’s World Champion Shannon Cole-Cameron faced Virginia’s own Liz Pritchard—ranked #1 and #2 in the world.

• Match 1 (SLK Tornado Rules): Liz unleashed relentless hand and hilt strikes, but Shannon played the long game. With high-value parry-ripostes, she secured the win through precision scoring.
• Match 2 (TSL Pike): Liz’s dedication to pike training paid off as she evened the series with strong control and execution.
• Match 3 (TSL Standard): Liz found her rhythm and dominated the tempo. Despite a late push from Shannon, Liz closed it out convincingly.

Result: Liz Pritchard wins series 2-1 (final match 9-5)

Main Event: Wu vs. Smith — A Chess Match of Legends The headline bout featured two icons: Jie Wu and “The People’s Champion” Chicco Smith.
This was a masterclass in adaptation and strategy. Jie Wu, renowned for his tactical brilliance, carefully tracked Chicco’s explosive speed and lightning-fast thrusts.

• Match 1: Wu edges it 4-3 through calculated control
• Match 2: Chicco surges back, overwhelming Wu with speed and footwork, 6-5
• Match 3: Wu adjusts once more—neutralizing the thrust with subtle slips and flawless counters, even under pressure

Result: Jie Wu wins 2-1 (final match 4-3)

A Night to Remember Every fighter brought their best to the floor. The skill was elite, the intensity undeniable, and the sportsmanship exemplary. Win or lose, each competitor stepped off the mat having proven something—not just to the crowd, but to themselves.
At Starfighter 2026, everyone fought like a champion—and left as one.