Striegl vs Korean in PXC

MANILA, Philippines - Unbeaten Mark Striegl is all primed up for the biggest fight of his career as he battles Jang Yong Kim of Korea in the main event of Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC)-39 this Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena.

The 25-year-old Filipino-American, who trains full-time in Baguio, will be gunning for his first major title after going undefeated so far in 12 fights, 10 of which by submission.

And the featherweight fighter who grew up in Tokyo, Japan, said he’s ready whatever Jang brings on the table during the 10th edition of the PXC here.

“I don’t know what will happen, it’s either by knockout or submission, but I’ll take any opening Jang will give me,” said Striegl, appearing in the Tuesday session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

Coming off a sensational win over PXC lightweight champion Harris Sarmiento, Striegl said aggression, speed, and stamina are his advantages against Jang, although he’s not taking chances against his Korean foe, who sports a 7-6 fight record.

“He does look pretty big. But we’ll see during the fight,” said the Fil-Am fighter, who said he’s 100 percent ready for the fight after having a solid camp the last two to three months with no injury.

PXC general manager and president EJ Calvo, who also graced the session presented by Shakey’s and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. together with fighters Glen Ranillo and Ernesto Montilla Jr., referred to Striegl as arguably, “the best mixed martial arts fighter in the country today” who has nowhere to go but up.

But at the same time, he said Jang is an extremely tough opponent, whose record “does not represent how good he is.”

 Ranillo, a lightweight who acts as sparmate of Striegl, will be up against Isiah Ordiz, while Montilla takes on Roldan Sangcha-an in a flyweight match as part of the seven-match undercard.