Brooks upbeat on winning chances; Battles Davaoeño champ in MMA heavyweight title clash

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu-based British fighter Cris "Lindol" Brooks of Yaw-Yan ArDigma Cebu is highly optimistic on seizing the vacant Ground and Pound Championship (GPC) heavyweight belt when he clashes with Davaoeño champ Lloyd Abucayan of Mindanao's Beefit Pythons Pit in the main event of "Ground and Pound 7:Resolution" Mixed Martial Arts showdown on August 31 at the Cebu Coliseum.

It marks for the first time that a heavyweight championship match will take place in Cebu MMA scene.

Only in his second professional MMA bout, Brooks admitted that he had little preparation for his upcoming fight as he went home to United Kingdom for a personal matter.

But the Briton who trains under the tutelage of Yaw-Yan ArDigma Cebu CEO and Founder Master Benigno ‘Ekin’ Caniga Jr, vows to wage an all-out war against Abucayan, a wrestling and judo expert.

“I am from England but I will represent Cebu. Cebu is like my second home and I will not let that belt leave there,” said Brooks, who will be back in town this Saturday to resume his training at the Yaw-Yan ArDigma gym.

“I am working on my cardio and conditioning while I am here in the UK, but I’ll kick my training into high gear when I’m back there in Cebu. I am ready to take that belt,” he added.

While he believes that he has a more dominant striking skills than his foe, Brooks said he also prepares for a brutal war on the ground having trained with two-time Pan-Asia Brazilian jiu-jitsu silver medallist Paul John Pages.

Abucayan, for his part, is a black-belter judoka and two-time gold medallist in the National Scholastic Wrestling Takedown Challenge last February at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

The pride of Davao also seeks vengeance against Brooks, who demolished his teammate and former URCC fighter Gygz Ocampo in the very first round during the Mindanao Ultimate Mixed Martial Arts’ The Proving Ground-Warshock in August last year at the Liceo de Cagayan University gym in Cagayan de Oro City.

The action-packed MMA fight card is presented by Yaw-Yan ArDigma Martial Arts Federation Inc. in partnership with SkyCable. It is sanctioned by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).

Tickets are priced at P200 for the upperbox, P400 for the lowerbox, P750 for the ringside and P1,500 for the VIP seats. For reservations and further information, one may call 255-8919, 255-1405 or call/txt 0932-4524999. (FREEMAN)