Filipino fighters eyebig wins in PXC 26

MANILA, Philippines - Young Ali Cali from Mindanao faces his biggest test yet when he battles mixed martial arts veteran Josh Alvarez of Guam tonight in one of the featured matches in the Pacific X-Treme Combat 26 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila.

Alvarez debuted before Filipino MMA fans last June in PXC 24 and used his grappling skills to beat another local fighter, former boxer Rogelito “Nonoy” Plomeda, via submission.

“My goal is to defeat him. I don’t like to be his next victim,” said Cali, a 20-year-old native of Davao, known for his striking prowess and great endurance. Plomeda, meanwhile, tries to bounce back from that humiliating defeat when he battles Gene Eustaquio in an all-Filipino fight.

“I really need to bounce back and win to redeem myself. This is something very important,” said Plomeda, who hails from Bacolod City. “I learned a lot from that setback. I hit Alvarez hard, but he got me into submission.”

The two matches are part of the eight under-cards serving as appetizer to the night’s main event, a battle for the lightweight crown between Harris “The Hitman” Sarmiento, a Fil-Am based in Honolulu, and Ronny Borja of Guam.

Also fighting in the under-card of the event presented by San Mig Strong Ice, in cooperation with SMART Communications, Beer Below Zero, Healthway Medical, venue partner Resorts World and media partners FHM, TV 5, and 89.1’s Real Sports, are two other local fighters – Crisanto Pitpitunge and Jazor Ablasi – who are up against Guam’s Alex Castro and Kyle Aguan, respectively. The fights will be telecast on AKTV at IBC 13.

All local fighters seeing action hope to bolster their MMA standings through the PXC, with an eye toward the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

“We’re looking to produce world class mixed martial arts champions with the help of the PXC,” said local fight manager Hazel Ogalesco of Beefit Pythons Fit. “There are many talented fighters here and the PXC will give them the opportunity to excel.”

Mixed martial arts coach Erwin Tagle, 32, a veteran of the sport, said the arrival of the PXC has given young fighters the chance to develop and harness their grappling and striking talents.

“We’re happy to see the PXC is here to help us promote the sport. My dream is to create a strong international caliber MMA team composed of Filipinos. We can do that through the support of local fans,” said Tagle.