It was quite expected.
The longest-running MMA organization in Asia is celebrating its 10th year. Bigger than ever, bigger than what it was projected by some of its naysayers when they began 10 years ago. Bright lights, a huge stadium and the best local fighters in the Philippines. If you're a real MMA fan, you'll expect the 22nd major event of the URCC to be the best local card you will ever see.
Despite all that, I was left a little surprised with how the event went after the final bell.
Needless to say, it was a treat for both hardcore and casual MMA fans. The card was stacked, with the URCC putting in their best fighters and signing up and coming international fighters for this very card. The action was second to none. The card definitely lived up to the hype. From brawls to slick transitions on the ground, the fights in the card had it. Anyway, here are a few takeaways from the country's biggest event so far.
1. 10 years later, things are still looking bright for the URCC
It's quite ironic to say this given that Eduard Folayang, the poster boy of the organization, lost badly in the main event against Fil-American Lowen Tynanes. However, get your mind off of that and think about this for a second: the arrival of Tynanes in the URCC (he reportedly signed a three-fight contract under the org) will definitely shake things up in the division.
Tynanes is hands down the best wrestler the org has right now. A multiple-state wrestling champion who's built like a truck and with good hands, Tynanes was brilliant in dealing Eduard the worst loss of his career. Good hands, good transitions and a vicious ground and pound, his arrival will open the doors for Filipinos in his division to adjust to his style and to be more prepared with how it is done in major international MMA organizations wherein almost everyone is a skilled wrestler. His style of fight is a blueprint on what type of fighters Filipinos will be facing when they test the waters in large-scale MMA organizations such as the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator and the like (that was the very logic of the Folayang-Tynanes fight in the first place).
For Eduard, all is not lost. He's just beginning to peak and a loss to a wrestler should open new doors for him. He's still one of the most talented fighters in the Philippines, now with an experience against a decorated wrestler and with a hunger to bounce back? Look out. Next year should be a very interesting year for the URCC and for Folayang who is expected to bounce back heavily.
2. Keyword of the night: Heart
I'd like to single out Folayang and Eric Kelly in this one.
In the main event, Folayang was literally bullied and ran over by the stronger wrestler in Tynanes. He had Eduard bloodied early on and was pummeling him with vicious ground and pound for most parts of their fight. He had Folayang locked in deep with a rear-naked choke and Eduard had all the chances to tap out and fight another day.
But that wasn't the case. Folayang fought through the RNC, eventually getting back on his feet (where he wants to be) and was willing to trade blows with Tynanes again before the doctor called for the bell and stopped the fight.
For Kelly's part, imagine fighting a guy who weighs more than 20 pounds than you and is about three or four inches taller. Tough? Now imagine having to fight the guy with one eye literally shut for 20 minutes or so.
That's what Kelly did. Kelly fought the bigger, stronger Brad Terrey with one good eye and he did not only hang on up until the final bell, he finished the fight via armbar!
Terrey was so huge that he was announced at 170 pounds during the fighter introduction. Now I don't know if that was a mistake, based on the size difference I don't think so, the fight was supposed to be at featherweight (140 pounds). Imagine the size difference if the announcement was accurate.
Kelly started strong but size and strength began to catch up on him. Terrey dominated Kelly during the latter part of the first round, which had me worried about how Kelly will come out in the second round, with one good eye to say the least.
But he did the unexpected. He threw everything at Terrey, solid kicks, takedowns, submission attempts and he mounted Terrey a few times. I thought the fight didn't need to go to an extension because Kelly had it but, if it didn't, then that spectacular finish wouldn't have happened, right?
3. Matchmaking brilliance at its finest
Credit URCC matchmaker Willy Carlos and URCC big boss Alvin Aguilar for putting up one of the most memorable fight cards in local MMA history.
I'm not exaggerating here. I've covered a lot of MMA events live and this has to be the best one I've seen so far.
From the opening bout between Junjun Sinco and Lito Adiwang, to Dennis Salazar doing everything (including cartwheels) to pass Roy Doliguez' guard, to the memorable return of Caloy Baduria in one of the most entertaining matches of the night, a brawl against Sugar Ray Estoso, to the quality title fights between Rodrigo Praxedes and Froilan Sarenes and Jessie Rafols and Keiff Mangusan, up to the two final bouts, it has been a barn burner.
The card presented a balance between entertainment and technicality. It showcased some of the best fighters in the Philippines, up and comers and even old names returning and that couldn't have been set up any better.
Call this exaggeration but you need to see the fights to believe me.
4. The URCC badly needs a local TV deal
It is the only thing that is lacking for the URCC. A TV deal for it to be exposed to casual fight fans.
They have the best fighters and some of the best fights, the only thing missing right now is exposure.
It sucks, as an MMA fan personally, to be live-tweeting about the event and interact with other international MMA writers and bloggers who rave about how good the event was (they were watching through live online streaming) but can't see interaction from the local crowd. These are the types of events that should be broadcasted; those were some of the best fights I've seen live and the event deserves a larger scale of audience. Local casual fight fans are missing out a lot, believe me.
But who knows? With the way things are going, a TV deal might be up in works. Let's hope for the best!
5. The URCC is still the best MMA promotion in the Philippines
If there's even a question on which MMA organization is the best before URCC 22, I think the debate was sealed after Dekada.
No doubt, the URCC is not only the longest-running MMA promotion in Asia but is also the best promotion in the Philippines.
With a talent pool that is so huge and some of the best minds to set up the fights, there shouldn't even be a question as to which MMA organization is the best in the Philippines. URCC 22 just added a few more kicks to it.
This reminds me of the UFC-Pride debate in the early 2000s wherein the UFC had better exposure but Pride definitely had the better fighters and the better fights. However, I doubt the URCC will go through the same route as Pride with this kind of momentum.
All in all, after URCC 22, all the questions are settled. You're not only looking at the longest-running MMA promotion in Asia but also the undisputed number 1 MMA promotion in the country.