CEBU, Philippines - Exciting mixed martial arts action returns to Cebu as Yaw-Yan Ardigma Martial Arts Federation, Inc. stages the second edition of the Cebu Extreme Fight League (CEFL) dubbed as ‘No Way Out’ on February 18 at the Cebu Coliseum.
Coming off a two-year layoff, fight fans will get an added excitement and thrill in this amateur MMA tournament as fighters will now battle inside a steel cage instead of the traditional ring.
“It took me couple of years before I can do another MMA event here in Cebu and now that I have returned to the scene, I am making sure that it will be more exciting and the cage is one of the big improvements I made,” said Yaw-Yan ArDigma CEO/Founder and Vis-Min director Master Benigno ‘Ekin’ R. Caniga Jr.
“When we talked about MMA, the first thing fans think is a cage as what they are seeing in the UFC or ONE FC. I worked hard for it and now that we have a cage. W can now guarantee of a more thrilling fightcard,” Master Ekin added.
Even if it's only an amateur MMA card, Master Ekin has pitted top prospects and rising combat hopefuls coming from all around the archipelago.
“Different from the first edition, this fight card doesn’t only include Cebuano fighters because we are pitting the best of the best amateur strikers and grapplers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” said Master Ekin.
The complete card is yet to be finalized but three of the most promising MMA warriors in Cebu in Roel ‘Akiyama’ Rosauro of Team Yaw-Yan ArDigma, former national team member Nino Rio Saoy of Mactan Combat Sports and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu international medalist Arnel Ylanan of Project X have already been lined up for the show.
“This will serve as a grassroots program for MMA here in Cebu,” said Master Ekin. “I want Cebuano fighters to be tested against opponents coming from other places in the country because I think this is the right move to develop their skills and boost their confidence."
Since it will be an amateur tilt, the fighters will deal with a four-minute per round during bouts, shorter than the five-minute per round used in the pro. The competitors will use a standard MMA gloves and will not wear a headgear.
The weight classes to be contested are the strawweight (115 lbs.), flyweight (125 lbs.), bantamweight (135 lbs.) featherweight (145 lbss.) and lightweight (155 lbs.). There will also be special categories for women and kids. (FREEMAN)