CEBU - The Cebuanos brace for heart-pounding ground-and-pound action as the country’s biggest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event dubbed as “Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) Cebu III:Nemesis” gets underway beginning at 7:00 tonight at the Cebu International Convention Center.
Sixteen of the country’s best MMA fighters will put their skills to test as martial arts aficionados bear witness to the ultimate combat sport.
In the explosive main event, undefeated Cebuano star Cary “The Prince” Bullos will lock up horns with former bantamweight champion Lino “The Terminator” Tagacay.
Bragging of a first-rate conditioning, Bullos of SELDEF Lapu-Lapu is a well-rounded fighter with superb striking, grappling and ground skills. In his previous stint at the URCC XII in Manila, Bullos won by submission over the more experienced Arnel Arancina.
Tagacay, for his part, can’t be underestimated because he too is armed with superior striking abilities, ground and pound execution techniques and is in top condition. The Bacoleño warrior went toe-to-toe against Justin Cruz at URCC XII, but lost via a knee-bar submission.
Thus, the 32-year-old Tagacay promises to redeem himself and regain his bantamweight crown.
“This is a more important fight for Lino (Tagacay) and it is a career-decider for him. This match will have a lot of pressure for Lino than for Cary, ” said URCC Manila coordinator Franz Von Muhlfeld in a press conference yesterday at Loft Restaurant and Lounge-IT Park in Brgy. Apas, this city.
“Both fighters are exemplary in the respective aspects of mixed martial arts. I could not see any advantage from one of them because they (Bullos and Tagacay) are equally matched,” commented URCC matchmaker Markman Yap.
The other exciting matches pit Anthony Olidan of Manila’s Elements Gym vs. Engie “The Destroyer” Piloto of Yaw-Yan Cebu ArDigma, Jan Selaryo of Bacolod Fight Club against Leo Gaelaran of Yaw-Yan Musang Cebu and Bacolod ’s Jet Lumawag opposite Maxlito Yong of Yaw-Yan Cebu ArDigma.
The rest of the fights feature Victor Torre of Bacolod vs. Demetrio de la Torre of Cebu C-Mac, Alan Orong of Cebu Fitma Fighting Lions vs. SELDEF’s Jimmy Yabo and Joselito Loregas vs. fellow Cebuano Geronimo Etac.
“We have an advocacy to bring MMA to the Visayas region and closer to the general public. I believe that Cebu does not have any professionally-marketed production for MMA, only URCC has it. It has a novelty side not just like having a tournament but there is showmanship and is indeed a professional tournament for MMA” said URCC Cebu producer Renault Lao.
Tickets are priced at P1, 000 for VIP seats, P500 for lower box, and P200 for general admission.
For ticket inquiries and deliveries, one may call/text Judith at 0917-628-4114 or log on to www.jeugenioconcepts.com. Tickets are also available at Loft Restaurant and Lounge (238-0532).
The event is presented by Colt 45 in association with Loft Restaurant & Lounge and CJRS MMA & Fitness Center. It is also supported by Samba Brazilian Corned Beef, Omega Pain Killer, Casino Ethyl Alcohol, Chris Sports, Bulls, Windy, Rich Media Network, J. Eugenio Concepts – Manpower Service Provider Group, Ecila, WESMA Jewelry and Watches, My Joy, Da Vinci’s Pizza, Cherry Cars, Mango Park Hotel, Tambuli Beach Resort and Twin Bee Graphics. (THE FREEMAN)