French fighter makes impression in Sogod, Leyte card

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu-based French mixed martial artist Paul Carrere proved that he is ready for a bigger stage in the professional level after he pounced his way to a resounding second round stoppage of Raymund 'Chief Monster' Libradilla of Tatus Muay Thai and MMA in the main event of ‘Kumbati sa Sogod,’ the first MMA and kickboxing tournament in Southern Leyte the other night at the Sogod Multi-purpose gymnasium.

Carrere used his sharp striking skills to keep Libradilla at bay. He also initiated a take down to bring the Pinoy fighter to the ground. After a dominant start, Carrere continued his assault in the second round where he mounted Libradilla before unleashing a flurry of punches and elbow that forced the referee to halt the carnage. The official time was 3:32 of round two.

"I really improved my ground game after my previous defeat and I am glad that I won impressively," said Carrere, who is now assured of a slot to this year's Ground and Pound series, the premier MMA tournament in Cebu. "I am representing France but I feel like I am also a Cebuano especially that my team are all Cebuano in the Unified MMA."

In the supporting main event, Yaw-Yan Kampilan's MJ 'Bolo Punch' Abrillo needed one round to dispatch Julius 'Smasher' Gonzaga of ER Spawn MMA in Iloilo City. The grappling specialist caught Gonzaga with a perfectly set up armbar submission to finish the fight at the 3:52 mark.

"Carrere and Abrillo were impressive and I will give them chance to vie for Ground and Pound titles this year," said Yaw-Yan ArDigma CEO and Founder Master Benigno 'Ekin' Caniga Jr.

In the other MMA bouts, Jayson 'Diamond' Aspacio of Redneos Gladiator MMA choked out Mark 'Mustang' Revalde of Yaw-Yan Mustang in the first round, while Johnjer 'Dangerous Torbiso destroyed Iloilo's Ralh 'Pakyaw' Hemor also in the opening sesssion.

In the kickboxing events, Yaw-Yan ArDigma's Ruel 'Akiyama' Rosauro finished off Regner 'Beatdown' Mendoza of Stratagem MMA in just 37 seconds, while Batang Pinoy gold medallist Ken 'Shaolin' Caniga pulled off a TKO win at 32 seconds of the second round against Benedict 'Little Warrior' Torbiso of Durex Dragon KBC. (FREEMAN)