Cricket steals spotlight in Baguio Battleground

MANILA, Philippines - Debuting local bet Christian “Cricket” Gazmin stole the thunder in the recent URCC-Baguio Battleground IV held at the Baguio Convention Center.

Fighting out of Tribal Submission from Los Angeles and coached by Samuel Jacob Jr., Gazmin bravely took on Christian Virtudazo, a replacement fighter, in the co-main event of the mixed martial arts meet held as part of the annual Panagbenga Flower Festival in the country’s summer capital.

Gazmin acceded fighting Virtudazo in a specially arranged match despite his opponent being 37pounds over the weight limit. Virtudazo will be charged P1,000 for every pound in excess had the fight fail to push through.

But with his family and friends in mind, and the interest of fight fans as well, Gazmin readily agreed to fight Virtudazo at the last minute.

A natural wrestler, Virtudazo and Gazmin put on a show behind a lengthy exchange of punches and couple of body slams.

It was over at the 7:44 mark with Virtudazo the expected winner via a referee stopped contest.

Cricket, however, drew the admiration of the jampacked crowd at the end of the bout, the way it did to another Baguio bet, Rey Docyogen, who successfully retained his URCC pinweight title at the expense of Kid Orais via submission.

“They’re expecting me to fight,” said Gazmin of the warrior in him.