Filipino Dave Galera loses in UFC debut

MANILA, Philippines – Dave Galera, the lone Filipino entry in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's first foray into Southeast Asia, entered the octagon as a strong prospect after winning his first five mixed martial arts fights on the strength of his solid jiu-jitsu and dangerous striking.

He would need to take up wrestling more.

Representing Team Lakay, the American-born Galera failed to impress on his UFC debut and lost to local hero Royston Wee via unanimous decision in UFC Fight Night 34 at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore Saturday night.

The 35-year-old Galera, who won three of his fights via submissions and the other two on knockouts, just had no answer to Wee's ground and pound and lost the bout that everyone thought he would win considering Team Lakay's reputation of producing prized and champion fighters.

Another Fil-Am, Jon delos Reyes opened his fight with a bang by unleashing furious strikes that Hawaii's Dustin Kimura weathered as he lived up to his last name by catching the former with a Kimura armbar 2.13 left in the first round.

Former Strikeforce champion Tarec Saffiedine came out impressive on his UFC debut by beating former Pacific  X-Treme Cagefighting standout Hyun Gyu Lim of South Korea with a unanimous decision win to make known his bid to challenge for the vacant welterweight title.

Scores were 49-46 and 48-47 twice for Saffiedine, who improved to 15-3, to gain Fight of the Night honor.

Although the Phl's top bets lost, UFC holding a card in Singapore was a big boost not just to Southeast Asia's mixed martial arts scene but the Philippines as well, being a country rich in strong fighters.

UFC has expanded to Asia as early as last year when it held cards in Japan, South Korea, Macau, China and recently, Singapore.

The Philippines will probably be next.