Pacific X-treme Combat returns

MANILA, Philippines - Bouyed by the success of its initial offering in the country last June, Pacific X-treme Combat returns with a bigger, more action-packed card this Saturday headlined by Fil-Am fighters at the Newport Theater in Resorts World Manila.

Hawaii-based Harris “The Hitman” Sarmiento, one of the fighters who wowed the crowd in PXC’s initial foray in the country, will be back to face fellow Fil-Am Ronnie Borja, based in Guam, for the lightweight crown in the extravaganza dubbed PXC26.

“We were very happy with our first PXC event in the Philippines,” said PXC president Joey Calvo. “Filipino MMA fans can be assured PXC will continue to stage exciting fights that will feature MMA fighters from different parts of the world.”

The PXC is a Guam-based mixed martial arts organization fast making inroads in the Pacific. Its return stint here is backed by San Mig Strong Ice in cooperation with Smart Communications, Beer Below Zero, Healthway Medical and Resorts World, with FHM, and 89.1’s Real Sports as media partners. Action will be televised on AKTV.

Brandon Vera, one of the stars of the highly popular Universal Fighting Championship, graced PXC24 in the country and coached a couple of his fighters to victory. PXC25 was held in Guam.

This time, PXC intends to bring in either BJ Penn of Hawaii, another certified UFC star, or WWE star David Batista as guest.

EJ Calvo, general manager and promoter of the only MMA outfit in the Pacific, said their return stint in the country was prompted by the interest of Filipino mixed martial artists.

“We have received a lot of interest from Filipino MMA fighters from different fight camps all over the country and they have expressed interest to participate in PXC26,” he said.

No home-grown fighter managed to come out victorious last June but the 5-foot-10 Sarmiento, competing in the lightweight division, saved the day for Filipinos, beating

Alex Castro of Guam by unanimous decision.

Vera’s participation as ringside tactician in PXC24, Sarmiento’s sterling performance in the cage and the display of power by the international fighters added up to a one-of-a-kind slam-bang affair that marked the debut of PXC fighting in the Philippines.