PXC fighter JJ Ambrose set to fight at Bellator 62

MMA fighter J.J. Ambrose, who hails from Lakewood, California, has spent significant time training in Guam with some of the island’s best, and is undefeated in 5 appearances in Pacific X-treme Combat. His overall record is 17 -3, with 4 Knockouts, 9 Submissions, and 3 wins by Decision, 4 fights in the PXC including his last victorious bout where he won a unanimous decision against Sebastian Garguier at PXC 27 in Guam.

As a step-up in competition Ambrose will be fighting in Bellator 62 March 23, 2012 at the Laredo Energy Arena - Laredo, TX in a lightweight quarter final against Brent Weedman.

Silva Sonnen II to be held in a Soccer Stadium

While Chael Sonnen says he’s waiting for a contract for his rematch with Anderson Silva, the UFC has already booked him for a flight to Brazil.

According to UFC president Dana White, the long awaited rematch between UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and rival Chael Sonnen will take place this summer in possibly the biggest event in MMA history.

White was in Calgary on Wednesday announcing a slew of new events for Canada, but also let one other bombshell out regarding the most highly anticipated rematch in UFC history.

“Think about this, the Chael Sonnen/Anderson Silva fight, I’m probably going to put my foot in my mouth again, and probably not supposed to be talking about this either, but I always do it so, this thing’s going to be in a soccer stadium in Rio,” White said.

“This thing’s going to have over 80,000 people are going to be at this event down there.”

While White didn’t go into specifics regarding the venue, the most likely landing spot appears to be the Estadio Olimpico Joao Havelange, also known as Engenhao.

The Engenhao will be a host stadium for the 2016 Summer Olympics, which will also land in Brazil, and for soccer matches generally holds around 45,000 people. The stadium is home to the Botafogo football club in Rio.

For the upcoming Olympic games, the stadium is expected to fit closer to 60,000 fans.

Some have speculated that the Maracana could be the stadium White was speaking about due to its immense size and ability to pack in over 80,000 fans, but the only problem is it’s currently closed for renovations until 2013.

While the numbers don’t match up with White’s estimations, even with nearly 60,000 fans, that will still break all previous records for the biggest event in UFC history. The current record stands with UFC 129 held in Toronto in 2011 with more than 55,000 fans packing into the Rogers Centre.

The card will likely take place on June 16 in Rio with Silva vs. Sonnen 2 headlining the show.

PACIFIC X-TREME COMBAT (PXC) USHERING A NEW ERA OF PHILIPPINE MMA.

The Pacific Xtreme Combat, a running Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion in the Asia Pacific, whose emergence in the Philippines is nothing short of great. Created by Joey Calvo a Nova Uniao BJJ Blackbelt under Renato “Charuto” Verissimo who has been training BJJ for 15 years, the promotion has surely been making waves. Given the increasing popularity and the growth of the sport of MMA, Pacific Xtreme Combat or the PXC provides a wealth of exposure to serious local fighters who would want to make it big in this young, up and coming sport.

In the early 2000’s MMA blew up with ZUFFA’s purchase of the UFC and the positive changes it brought such as unified rules in MMA and the establishment of weight classes. Soon after the growth of MMA abroad, the Philippines also followed suit with the creation of the Universal Reality Combat Championships or URCC by touted MMA promoter Alvin Aguilar. As the sport grew in the country, various organizations have also entered the country in pursuit of creating more venues for local talent to showcase their skills.

With all these venues and advancements in the sport of MMA in the Philippines, there was still something missing, something that aspiring fighters have been looking for and that is better exposure for their talents, not only in the local front but regionally and internationally as well. And this is where the brilliance of the PXC comes in, for as much as the URCC has sparked the flame of MMA in the Philippines; the PXC has arrived to pour gas on the flames taking it to the next level.

TRACK RECORD

When you look at the history of fighters from both organizations, it is very clear that the PXC has had more fighters that have signed contracts to fight in Pro events in the United States. While both companies claim to be the best breeding grounds for local MMA fighters wanting to go pro in the US and face elite competition, it appears that the PXC is the only company consistently sending out fighters. In fact, the PXC has moved more fighters to the UFC, Bellator Fighting Champions and Strikeforce than any other fight organization in the Pacific Region. Some notable fighters are Rich Clementi (UFC), Harris Sarmiento (Strikeforce), Joe Tiamanglo and most recently Jon Tuck who made an appearance on the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF).

RULES AND REGULATIONS

One very significant factor serious MMA fighters should consider when looking to make it to elite level competition are the rules that the organization they fight for follows. If your sight is set on the UFC, and the other major promotions in the USA, then the PXC is the choice. Not only does the PXC follow the MMA Unified Rules of Conduct, but fights take place in an octagon cage. If it was just Muay Thai or boxing that fighters are looking for, then they will feel more at home with the URCC’s 5 rope square boxing ring and absurd two, 10 minute rounds of fighting.

PUBLICITY AND EXPOSURE

Although both promotions (PXC and URCC) have great websites and a ton of videos online, the PXC is the obvious better choice for fighters to get recognized and noticed in the world of MMA. PXC broadcast live on TV5's AKTV channel which airs their fights nationwide with replays to be able to catch the fights again. I also read in a press release, that the PXC currently are working towards broadcasting fights to several US and European markets. This is great for local fighters to get noticed nationwide in the country as their fights would appear on free TV, but also gain international exposure on top of that.

Of course these are just some major factors that separate both promotions, and while they both provide a channel for fighters to showcase their talents and there may be other factors in place, if I however were laying my money on my own fight career, I would certainly look at making my living with the PXC.

The chart below highlights compatisons between the PXC and URCC.

Click Here to zoom-in

Be the Next PXC-FHM Ring Girl!

Want to be the next PXC FHM Ring Girl? Want to be the next Abby Poblador or Ayumi Sogawa?

All interested applicants please email your portfolio to mma@pxc.com.ph

• Deadline of entries is on May 1, 2012
• Age must be 18 to 30 years old.
• Go-see to be announced via PXC website and Facebook account.

Mark Muñoz Recovery Ahead of Schedule and Back to Full Training

Mark Muñoz is back on track in his quest for the UFC Middleweight Championship held with an iron grip by Champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva.

In his tweet from last Feb. 28, 2012, The Filipino Wrecking Machine enthusiastically declared to the MMA world the following good news "Gr8 news given by Dr Kvitne @kerlanjobe! I could start training!!!!!! I'm back!!!! 1 month ahead of schedule! Yeah boyeeeeee!!!"

Muñoz was disappointed when his fight versus Chael Sonnen, originally scheduled for last Jan. 28 at UFC on Fox 2 in Chicago, was dropped due to his elbow injury. Still, he maintained a positive attitude throughout his ordeal. He even came to visit the Philippines last February in part of his injury.

The US national champion wrestler revealed during his press conference in Metro Manila, Philippines on Feb. 19, “For me, this [injury] has been a blessing in disguise…it’s given me an opportunity to rest. I’m feeling a lot better and I’m coming back as Mark Munoz 2.0, The Filipino Wrecking Machine upgraded.”

He also shared that he’s been doing some light training, training around the injury.

Significantly this time, though, it appears that he can increase his training back to how ti should be, as his elbow is fast healing and recovering—if it isn't 100% yet.

Muñoz believes that despite the injury that routed of his scheduled bout against Sonnen, destiny remain kind and he believes he'll get his chance at the middleweight title before this year ends. (The title will be defended by Silva against Sonnen this coming June in UFC 147.)


Muñoz was also asked “You really believe you’ll fight for the title within this year—not by next year—even if you were sidelined by that elbow injury and would be ready to fight only by June?"

“This year,” He replied without hesitation and with unwavering conviction.

A half year still remains after Silva vs. Sonnen takes place, and whoever will be holding the much-coveted title when the dust clears after UFC 147 in Sau Paulo, Brazil will have enough time left to entertain a upgraded, and more efficient Filipino Wrecking Machine.

Ronda Rousey's vicious Armbar on Miesha Tate

Check out Ronda Rousey win the Strikeforce Bantamweight Title courtesy of this sick and viscous armbar. 

PXC 30: Rise for Japan Results

In a night of Amazing fights, Pacific Xtreme Combat is at it again this time PXC 30 Rise for Japan which was held in Guam.

Here are the PXC 30 Results

Jin Hirano vs Josh Alvarez (135)
Josh Alvarez wins round 1 via referee stoppage

Doo Hwan Kim vs Trevor Hicks (205)
Doo Hwan Kim wins via unanimous decision

Alex Castro vs Tony Reyes (135)
Alex Castro wins via unanimous decision

Koshi Matsumoto vs Sebastien Garguier (155)
Koshi Matsumoto wins via unanimous decision

Robert Wusstig vs Thaddeus Malbreaux (145)
Robert Wusstig wins via guillotine submission round 3

Lim Hyun Gyu vs Takahiro Kawanaka (170)
Lim Hyun Gyu wins via corner throwing in towel round 1

Trevin Jones vs Josh Duenas (135)
Trevin Jones wins via rear naked choke round 1

Jang Yong Kim vs Ronnie Borja (145)
Jang Yong Kim wins via unanimous decision

'The Ultimate Fighter 15' cast unveiled with 32 lightweight fighters, PXC's Jon Tuck part of the cast

The UFC and FX have revealed 32 lightweight fighters who have been selected to compete on "The Ultimate Fighter 15."

The show (also dubbed "TUF: Live") debuts March 9 on FX with a two-and-half-hour episode that features 16 live elimination-round fights. All the winners earn official cast-member status.

UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and top contender Urijah Faber serve as coaches on the tournament-based show, which initially was slated to feature both lightweights and welterweights.

However, the field now includes just lightweights. Notable 155-pounders from the list include "TUF 13" competitor Myles Jury (who was forced off the show with a torn ACL), Cristiano Marcello and James Krause. Cast members come from the U.S., England, Northern Ireland and Brazil, but notable is Jon Tuck who has fought in the Philippines under the PXC banner.

The "TUF 15" debuts airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT (meaning the West Coast will get a delayed feed). Future episodes then air every Friday at 10 p.m. ET/PT. After the live debut, the remaining 12 episodes include pre-taped content and then a live fight to close out each show.

The show's live finale takes place June 1, when a "TUF 15" champion will be crowned.

"TUF 15" is the first season to air on the FOX-owned FX. All previous seasons aired on Spike TV.

The official "TUF 15" cast includes:

Akbarh Arreloa (Chula Vista, Calif.)
Al Iaquinta (Wantagh, N.Y.)
Ali Maclean (Belfast, North Ireland)
Andy Ogle (Tynemouth, England)
Austin Lyons (Cordova, Tenn.)
Brendan Weafer (New York, N.Y.)
Chris Tickle (Bloomington, Ill.)
Cody Pfister (Amarillo, Texas)
Cristiano Marcello (Curitiba, Brazil)
Chase Hackett (Littleton, Colo.)
Chris Saunders (Long Beach, Calif.)
Dakota Cochrane (Omaha, Neb.)
Daron Cruickshank (Wayne, Mich.)
Drew Dober (Omaha, Neb.)
Erin Beach (San Diego, Calif.)
James Krause (Blue Springs, Mo.)
James Vick (Fort Worth, Texas)
Jared Carlsten (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Jeff Smith (Mechanicsburg, Penn.)
Jeremy Larsen (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Joe Proctor (Pembroke, Mass.)
John Cofer (Hull, Ga.)
Johnavan Vistante (Pearl City, Hawaii)
Jon Tuck (Hagtna, Guam)
Jordan Rinaldi (Matthews, N.C.)
Justin Lawrence (Villa Ridge, Mo.)
Mark Glover (Liverpool, England)
Michael Chiesa (Spokane Valley, Wash.)
Myles Jury (San Diego, Calif.)
Mike Rio (Miami, Fla.)
Sam Sicilia (Spokane Valley, Wash.)
Vinc Pichel (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)

Australia, India and the Philippines next for 'The Ultimate Fighter,' White says

With the first live season of "The Ultimate Fighter" kicking off next week in the U.S. and the first international edition of the reality series currently in production in Brazil, the focus now turns to new locales.

Up next?

Australia, India and the Philippines, UFC president Dana White said.

"They're up next week," White said at a UFC on FX 2 press conference in Sydney. "We just need to finalize the (broadcast) deals."

"TUF 15" is the first season of the seven-year-old series to air on the UFC's new cable partner, FX, following a long and fruitful run on Spike TV. As recently reported, FUEL TV officials have confirmed "TUF: Brazil" will air on the FOX-owned cable station, though details haven't been finalized.

The show airs locally on Globo, which has quickly become a destination for the UFC in Brazil.

Brazil, of course, is an MMA hotbed, and two recent pay-per-view events in the country have laid the ground work for a bigger UFC presence. But after that, the attention turns to other new countries.

Australia, for example, hosts its third event in two years with this weekend's UFC on FX 2 show. With a quickly growing regional scene, more and more talent is coming out of the country. "TUF: Australia" would identify some of the best and open a door to competing in the UFC along the likes of Australians of James Te Huna, Kyle Noke and George Sotiropoulos.

The same goes for India and the Philippines, which have never hosted a UFC show but long been on the organization's radar. Currently, no events are scheduled for either country, but a "TUF" season could set the groundwork.