In the south, Boxing has always remained as the top most favourite sport and recreation by Filipinos in the Visayan region. During those years, around 2006-2007, the UFC has continuously rose to popularity, with the likes of Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, BJ Penn, - among others, the most recognizable names of MMA fighters.
Back in those years I didn’t know that URCC was the Philippine's pioneer MMA organization, although I've already heard of it, and at that time it has gradually and steadily made its presence known. URCC was already holding its eighth or 10th MMA events in Manila. Ever since its inaugural event in 2002, more and more Pinoy Martial Arts practitioners from all over the country got their chance to test their skills against other fighters.
From 2011 to today, International MMA organizations such as the Guam based PXC, and Singapore based One FC, have held big events in the country for the past two years or so (PXC -8 times, and One FC –twice). In this year alone, three big events were already held between the two international MMA promotions, and we are expecting another two or 3 more this year. There is a large pool of MMA talents in the country as more gyms have specialized in training Mixed Martial Arts.
Slowly and gradually, fitness gyms and martial arts gyms have added different forms of Martial Arts to train students who wanted to be fit and/or wanted to compete. DEFTAC, Submission Sports, FIST, Yawyan Buhawi, Hybrid Yawyan, Safehouse MMA are among the many gyms in Metro Manila that trains MMA. In the provinces there is Legacy Gym (Boracay), Fightworks MMA (Laguna), Beefit Python's Pit (Davao), Team Lakay (Baguio), and Fightcorps (Baguio) among others. Other gyms that specialized in one form of martial arts have added other martial arts forms to their classes. Over the years, ordinary folks and even famous celebrities got into MMA or at least one form or martial arts. Urbandub's Gabby Alipe has been training in Jiu-jitsu at Deftac, sexy actresses Cristine Reyes and Solen Heussaff at Ultimate Fitness gym, Iwa Moto, Dennis Trillo, Gab Chee Kee of Parokya ni Edgar, to name a few celebrities who are into Mixed Martial Arts. This goes to show that MMA has reached mainstream popularity in the country. |
And if all that is not enough to give an all-year-round fix for the MMA junkie- another international player dives into the Asian MMA hotbed this year. The California, USA based King of the Cage (KOTC) brings its expansion project to the country. KOTC intends to hold two Philippine events this year, the first one on July 5, 2013 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The Main Event features Filipino-American Lowen Tynanes defending his Jr. Welterweight title against American Joe Condon.
Apart from being half Filipino, Lowen Tynanes is also well known here as the “beast” who destroyed local hero Eduard Folayang in URCC – Dekada last 2012. He returned to the country in May this year at One FC Rise to Power and won via an impressive TKO win via elbow strikes to his opponent Felipe Enomoto, whom he trapped in a sidemount crucifix ala Ivan Salaverry. Tynanes' opponent, Condon is relatively more experienced, with more MMA fights and a winning record of 9-5. He has a background in wrestling and he also specializes in kickboxing and karate. He could pose a serious threat to the belt of Tynanes, whose base skill is wrestling but has previously shown his well-rounded MMA game in all of his undefeated record of 5-0.
Another title is on the line in the Main Card, as Japanese Yuske Sakashita challenging Sean “Tarzan” Strickland for the KOTC middleweight belt.
The rest of the Fight card is an All-Filipino affair. KOTC’s approach to the Philippine’s MMA scene remains true to its position as a “founding father” of MMA and a career builder for fighters. The organization went to the grassroots in search for new talents and gave professional opportunities to up-and-coming fighters.
The promotion also gives fight opportunities to fighters who don’t have live contracts with other Professional MMA organizations.
They’ve held qualifying matches in Metro Manila Area on April and May 2013; some of those who qualified will see action on July 5. One note that I believe is worth mentioning is that, they have given more focus on fighters who are based in Metro Manila and its adjacent provinces such as Bulacan and Laguna, although I believe some fighters may have flown in at their own expense to audition with KOTC.
With that said, here is the Fight Card for KOTC Worldwide:
MAIN CARD:
KOTC Jr. Welterweight Championship: Lowen Tynanes vs Joe Condon
KOTC Middleweight championship: Sean Strickland vs Yuske Sakashita
UNDERCARD:
Rabin Catalan vs Genil Francisco
Alvin Ramirez vs Francis Curilan
Dean Bermudez vs Rex Tanduyan
Mickey Ablan vs Ralf Francisco
Carlos Tiongson vs Fadi Alhamoui
Chow Garcia vs Winnie Paderna
Mike Bunag vs. JM Figueras
Reign Sotto vs Uno Legaspi
MMA in the Philippines has come a long way since the last decade. International MMA organizations recognized the popularity of MMA in the country, the Filipino’s knowledge of the sport, and most especially the enormous amount of talent that the Philippines has to offer. This is a proud nation of fighting warriors. Perhaps it will only be a matter of time for the Philippines to become at par, if not better than Japan, the best MMA country in Asia, in terms of skills and production of world-class MMA fighters in Asia and the world.