La Salle, UP stage showdown in URCC University Challenge

MANILA, Philippines - The lightweight tussle between Meshaal Al-Khuzeem of La Salle and Hani Ho of the University of the Philippines is expected to highlight the second staging of the Colt 45-Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) University Challenge slated on Sept. 18 at the A. Venue Events Hall in Makati City.

Skills-wise, the two are just about event but Al-Khuseem is expected to use his height advantage to beat the 18-year-old Ho who is known for his takedown expertise.

The 5-foot-10 Al-Khuzeem, who enjoys a 4-inch edge over Ho, banners the campaign of the Taft-based squad in the event presented by Colt 45 and backed by Tribal Gear, Alaxan FR, SolarTV and Solar Sports.

Also seeing action for the La Salle are Jojo Tabang, who will be going against the dangerous Emielle Macalinao of PATTS College of Aeronautics, and Kevin dela Cruz, who is pitted against Adamson’s Aliecarl Tolentino.

Another match worth watching in the event also backed by E-Games, 99.5RT, NU 107, Rogue Magazine, Pinoy Exchange, Synermaxx, Yoshinoya and Chris Sports, is the featherweight showdown between Karl Rodriguez of Entrepreneur School of Asia and Marwin Demetrius Ofracio.

“We expect thrilling matches in all divisions because all the fighters have prepared long and hard for this tournament. Actually, the tournament is a big break for all the participants,” said URCC founder and president Alvin Aguilar. “No one enjoys a clear advantage over one another, so I expect a close in all matches.”

According to Aguilar, both Rodriguez and Ofracio have become multi-dimensional fighters, thus assuring mixed martial arts (MMA) fans a wild and exciting showdown.

A total of three fights are lined-up in the lightweight and bantamweight, two in the featherweight and one each in the pinweight, flyweight, welterweight and middleweight.

Tickets, which are pegged at P300 and P500, are now available at TicketWorld (891-9999).