CEBU, Philippines - For the first time in the eight-year history of the Ground and Pound series, two championship fights will be featured in the sixth installment of the highly-anticipated Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) showdown billed as GNP VI:Invincible" slated on July 14 at the Cebu Coliseum."I stared MMA in Cebu way back in 2004. I hope to make it grow by promoting big events. It is really my desire to bring MMA here to the next level and this is just out initial step," said Yaw-Yan ArDigma Martial Arts Federation, Inc. Founder and CEO Master Benigno "Ekin" R. Caniga, Jr. in a press conference the other night.
In the main event of the action-packed show, Mark "The Terminator" Araneta of the Mandaue City-based Team UMMA will square off against Lord Rey "The Punisher" Yamit of Butuan Extreme MMA for the GNP lightweight title. The two hard-hitting gladiators will surely give everything they've got for honor and glory.
"I'm excited but anxious at the same time. Having this title bout will motivate me more to train harder and give my best shot come the fight night," said Aranerta.
The supporting main event presents an explosive kickboxing duel between Renan "Limbas" Noblefranca of Yaw-Yan ArDigma Cebu Top Team and Steve "D' Lightning" Sevilleno of Team MUMMA-Manila in what could be a grudge rematch for the YFCC bantamweight crown.
"It's a great feeling that you will be fighting for a championship. I've been into so many kickboxing bouts already and this is just the first time that I will fight for a title. It's something that I really look forward to," said Noblefranca, who is fresh from an impressive victory over Jose Leo “D Bull” Rodrigo last Saturday night at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
During their previous encounter, the fans were on their feet as both combatants traded wicked strikes ending in dramatic fashion. For Noblefranca, he wants to seal the rematch with another resounding victory, while Sevilleno is up for redemption.
A historic "Founder vs. Founder" battle is also something to watch out for in the slambang card sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
Allan "The Dancing Man" Epile of Soma KBC will go up against Sensei Den "Durex" Torbiso of Durex KBC in a match that was supposed to happen nearly two decades ago.
In the equally-exciting undercards, Johnjer "The Dangerous" Torbiso of Durex KBC will slug it out with Rocky Tune "The Outlaw" Batolbatol of Cagayan de Oro City's Team MUMMA, while Ronilo "Buffalo" Esfra of Arcomjukai-Mandaue will lock up horns with Jonathan "Mata de Leo" Esquierdo of CDO's Team MUMMA.
Tickets for swashbuckling MMA event are now on sale at P150 for the upperbox, P350 for the lower box, P500 for the ringside and P1,000 for the VIP section.
For further details, one may contact 0932-4524999. - THE FREEMAN