Sarmiento back to defend PXC crown

MANILA, Philippines - Veteran Filipino-American fighter Harris Sarmiento stakes his lightweight crown when the Pacific X-Treme Combat, Asia Pacific’s biggest and best mixed martial arts organization, holds its 35th edition on Feb. 16 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Sarmiento, dubbed “The Hitman,” is up against unbeaten Isiaah Ordiz, one of the up-and-coming fighters in the roster of PXC combatants that includes the best MMA practitioners from the Philippines, Guam, California, Hawaii, Japan and Korea.

“We are very excited to kick off the year with great match-ups in the Philippines,” said PXC chief executive offcer EJ Calvo. “The card features fighters from all over the world along with rising talents from the Philippines.”

The PXC has already established a name throughout Asia Pacific and its arrival in the Philippines in June 2011 enabled Filipino fighters to prove their worth against the world’s best mixed martial arts practitioners.

Nine action-packed fights make up the card, with Sarmiento (35-24) bidding to bounce back after a disappointing defeat to fellow Fil-Am Mark “Mugen” Striegl in PXC-34 last November in a featherweight fight. Ordiz is undefeated in two fights so far and is one of the more exciting fighters coming from the ranks.

Clashing in the main supporting bout of the event presented by San Mig Strong Ice and Sports 5 and backed by E-Games, Fitness First, FHM Philippines, FHM.com.ph, Premiere Condoms, Healthway Agility Phil, Beer Below Zero, Eden NightClub, Real Sports Radio, and Loqal.ph are American Alvin Cacdac (11-9) and undefeated Hawaiian Louis “Da Last Samurai” Smolka, with the winner likely to be the next contender for the flyweight crown currently held by Filipino Ale “The Young Gun” Cali.

Guam’s Tony Reyes (5-5) battles Team Lakay’s Troy Bantiag (4-1), Japanese Chuji Kato (3-1) takes on Korean Top Team’s Hong Seung Chan (2-0), and Hawaiian Ronald Jhun (24-24) faces Zebastian Kadestam (3-0) of Sweden.

Completing the card are all-Filipino fighters featuring Dario Banario (2-0) against Joseph Mercado (1-1), Ruel Catalan (1-2) against Ernesto Montilla Jr. (0-1), Adrian Hillana (1-0) against Steve Grandeza (0-1), and Glenn Ranillo (1-2) against Mark Billena.

The weigh-in will be held on Feb. 15 at the Bar One of Holiday Inn Manila Galleria in Pasig City.