Diana Ocampo grew up in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn, which in the 1980s was a tough part of town.

“Let's put it this way: you found a dead body down the street every week,” she said.

One is tempted to say that Ocampo has not separated herself from violence, mixed martial arts not being among the most genteel of endeavors. Through her firm, Total Combat, Ocampo, who became involved with MMA before MMA was hot, is promoting a program of it tonight at the Starlight Bowl.

Eight bouts are scheduled, including a middleweight (185 pounds) main event matching Edgar Garcia of Yuma (5-0) against Waylon Kennel of San Diego (3-0). Doors open at 6 with the first bout at 7:30. Tickets are priced from $25 to $150.

Ocampo, 34, describes herself as the nation's only female MMA promoter. For her to win approval of presenting MMA bouts in the landmark facility in Balboa Park has been a two-year effort, she said. Her expectation is that not only will MMA be rewarded from being visible at the Starlight Bowl, but so will the matches' site.

“It's funny,” she said. “No one knew about the Starlight Bowl. We've started to get tons of calls from music promoters inquiring about it. This is going to be great for the Starlight Bowl.”

Ocampo and an associate, a North County fireman, began their involvement with MMA six years ago, by her account.

“We started it so guys basically could display their skills,” she said. “A lot of people don't understand what is happening in the sport. It's an art. It's like a chess match. You have to think.”

A number of gyms in the San Diego area are going to have fighters on tonight's card. They're professionals. Total Combat, meantime, is licensed in four states – California, Nevada, Arizona and Texas – and Ocampo said a network known as Fanz is going to televise one of its programs from Yuma, Ariz., in September. Fanz can be seen in 15 million homes, according to Ocampo.

Ocampo said her father in Brooklyn had her taking boxing lessons when she was 6 in order that she could protect herself. After high school, she enrolled in the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, but after two semesters, she found that the $10,000 fees were more than she could afford. She joined the Navy with the intention of become a photographer.

“I became a supply officer,” she said.

For eight years, she remained in the Navy. Her introduction to promotion came after her arrival in the San Diego area when her current associate asked her if she could promote an MMA show.

“We have a great following,” Ocampo said. “People know who we are. Our shows average 1,500 to 2,000 in attendance. The MMA community is like a family.”

After serving an apprenticeship in Total Combat, one of its fighters, Eddie Sanchez, moved on to UFC, a major MMA jurisdiction. “When we had him, he had a BMW whose hood was held on by a thread,” Ocampo said. “He now has a brand new BMW.”

Ocampo, who is single, does not have a Brooklyn accent. “When I go back there,” she said, “they tell me I talk kind of funny.”

 

taken from:http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/sports/20080802-9999-1s2fight.html

Xcorps Action Sports Show #34.)"TOTAL COMBAT"-seg.3 HQ- Produced with Total Combat Entertainment this Xcorps episode swings punches and kicks its way across the screen with host Jason Lazo showing viewers non-stop mixed martial arts fight action in the 'Octagon' ring at the San Diego Sports Arena.
Backed by pounding new music from Suburban Noize Records along with new videos from RIVE Jason talks to fight promoter Diana Ocampo about the rules of conduct in the newly sanctioned fights where just about anything goes and the action gets brutal! Sexy dance moves by the combat dolls back the action with DRT Entertainment band SOIL doing their song 'Give It Up' featuring a cool chick/dude fight video! See who wins!?
The heavyweights bring it on in the 200+ category with Griggs VS Mejia slugging it out and making it done in one non-stop round. A lot can be said for Marine training with Griggs opening up in this punch fest with his big guns! This fight goes to the mat where kicking, kneeing and elbowing are all OK in this ring and it takes a lot of blood to get a ref to stop the battle! Suburban Noize band Mower cranks its song 'General Admission'.
Great Mohawk on announcer Manny Hernandez as he opens up XC show segment 3 with DRT Entertainment/Rive band 36 Crazyfists new video. Big Dudes Wadd and Robert slug it out slow motion style in this match up. More sweet moves by the Combat Dolls on the Xcorps split screen. One round and its over! The horror!
Next it's almost a mis-match with pro kick boxer Tobylmada vs Brando unleashing war upon themselves. Lots of fast foot action here but its elbows and knees to the face that end one fighters dreams of victory while the Xcams rolled. See the details.
Xcorps host 'Nacho Libre' returns for a few more words then the pounding continues with the well-muscled Garijo vs Abrams stepping into the ring for some fun. Sub NoiZe band Mower keeps it light and fresh with their tune 'Zone'. Someone called their mamma a name in this fight, which skips the intros and gets non-stop down and dirty. We needed to slow the action here for full effect! Nice match-up. Give 'em both a prize!
After the break Jason Lazo and the Combat Dolls do a fun Xcorps thro followed by fighters Gugherty and Radanzzo stepping up. Nice music fit from SubNoize again with the band Humble Gods doing their song --'Destroy'. It's all over in one round and victory goes to the best and the baddest. Great moves from both fighters but San Diego homey Gugherty takes the belt. Jason talks with him outside the ring about how it feels to win and what inspires his moves.
After that So Cal urban rap band Visionaries show their skills and new vid 'In The Good' c/o Rive promotions. Great angle here on the LA-San Diego scene with a band that IS all good.
The show closes out with a few more brutal brawls -- a new duo from Georgia called Jucifer and Jason thanking all who brought Total Combat to The Xcorps!
For more see http://www.totalcombat.tv/
Peace-Love-War!
J.S.Edmondson Trt-29:30 Close Caps ©2010 The Xcorps