PXC Set to Kick Off 2015 with Laban MMA in Baguio City

As both fans and competitors will attest, 2014 was indeed a banner year for Philippine mixed martial arts. While news and events eventually slowed down as the year came to a close, it seems Pinoy fighters and fans are now ready to pick up where 2014 left off.

First up for 2015 is the announcement of Pacific Xtreme Combat taking its Laban MMA series to Baguio City. Home to arguably the Philippines' best fight camp, Team Lakay, Baguio and the rest of the Cordillera region is known as great source of raw and undiscovered combat sports talent.

With Laban MMA serving as an MMA development league, it makes perfect sense that it starts the new year off in the City of Pines. While the PXC has yet to announce an official fight card, the first Laban MMA event of 2015 is already slated to take place on February 28 at the Baguio Convention Center.

The fight night coincides with the city's annual Panagbenga Flower Festival, so plenty of people will be looking to attend and catch a glimpse of the region's top MMA prospects. To avoid missing all the action, interested parties can begin purchasing tickets at SM Tickets outlets.

Two Titles on the Line at PXC's 2014 Year-Ender in the Philippines

Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) 46, the promotion's final event in the Philippines for 2014, promises to be one historic night with two title bouts serving as its co-main events. Set to go down this Friday, November 15, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, PXC 46 will feature the promotion's Flyweight and Lightweight championships up for grabs in two 5-round affairs.

PXC 46

The PXC Flyweight title will be contested by two Pinoy fighters, with completely different backgrounds. "Iron" Ernesto Montilla, a homegrown talent out of San Pedro, Laguna, battles U.S.-based Pinoy fighter Alvin Cacdac.

Montilla vs. Cacdac

Cacdac (14-10), last saw competition in late 2013 when he won via rear-naked choke, submitting Trevin Jones at PXC 40. Montilla (4-2) on the other hand, last saw action this past May, earning an upset  submission victory over Ale Cale at PXC 43.

With a great deal of momentum coming from both sides, the flyweight battle looks to be a fast paced affair, with both fighters likely looking to add another submission win, and the Flyweight title, to their resume.

Ranillo vs. Kato

For the main event, Glen Ranillo (4-2) will look to put away Japanese competitor Chuji Kato (5-1-1) to secure the Lightweight championship for himself and the home crowd. Ranillo will be looking to take advantage of a rusty Kato, as the former last fought in May, while the former in October of last year. Both are coming of wins, with Ranillo earning a TKO victory in the first round over Reno Remigio at PXC 43, and Kato earning a decision win over Tyrone Jones at PXC 40.

With the stakes high in the weight class considered the most talent laden in all of MMA, the Ynares Arena crowd can expect the lightweight title bout to be a hotly contested affair.



Known to cater to the home crowd of its events, PXC 46 features a Filipino fighter in each fight of the card. Notable names expected to put on a show on November 15th include fan favorite Crisanto Pipitunge, and highly touted Pinay fighter Gina Iniong. Below is the complete card for PXC 46:

PXC 46 Fight Card.

PXC 46 will be held on November 15, 7pm at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Tickets are available at the venue or can be purchased beforehand at SM Tickets and Ticketworld outlets.

"Gravity" Looks to Make History at ONE FC: Rise of the Kingdom

On September 12, 2014, ONE Fighting Championship is set to make its promotional debut in the country of Cambodia with ONE FC: Rise of the Kingdom. To headline the promotion's foray into its third new venue in as many months will be a battle between Pinoy fighter Geje "Gravity" Eustaquio, and Brazilian competitor Adriano "Black Diamond" Moraes. The five-round main event will be for the inaugural ONE FC Flyweight Championship.

Geje "Gravity" Eustaquio

Eustaquio, who currently holds a record of 6-2, earned his way to the title fight by defeating Japanese fighter Kentaro Watanabe via unanimous decision at ONE FC 17. A member of the famed Team Lakay, "Gravity" is looking to add to his team's history of inaugural champions, as teammate Honorio "The Rock" Banario had also won the inaugural ONE FC Featherweight Championship in early 2013.

ONE FC: Rise of the Kingdom

Making Pinoy MMA history will be easier said than done however, as Eustaquio will have to overcome a game Adriano Moraes to become the first ever Flyweight title holder. "Black Diamond", who owns an overall pro-MMA record of 11-1, earned his shot at the title by submitting Japanese fighter Kosuke Suzuki via triangle choke at the same card in Jakarta, Indonesia where Eustaquio earned his shot.

To provide well wishes to “Gravity” as he embarks on the biggest fight of his pro-MMA career, Pinoy fight fans can do so on his official Facebook fan page, as well as Team Lakay’s.

ONE FC: Rise of the Kingdom will be happening this Friday, September 12th, at the Koh Pick Theater in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. For ticketing information or to know where to watch on television and online, visit www.ONEFC.com

Pinoy MMA to be Dispayed in the International Scene Once Again at ONE FC: Reign of Champions

On August 29th, ONE Fighting Championship, the largest mixed martial arts organization in Asia, will host it's first ever fight card in Dubai. Dubbed "ONE FC: Reign of Champions", the event will feature three title bouts, a first for the organization.

ONE FC: Reign of Champions

The main event will be a five-round affair between Kamal Shalorus and Lightweight champion Shinya Aoki. The co-main event will see the ONE FC Welterweight title be up for grabs as Nobutatsu Suzuki defends against American MMA star Ben Askren.

The third title bout will be a contest for the Featherweight title, as Narantungalag Jadaambaa takes on champion Koji Oishi. Jadaambaa steps in to replace Pinoy fighter Eric Kelly, as "The Natural" had was not medically cleared in time to train and subsequently compete in the Dubai card after winning a war with Rob "Ruthless" Lisita to be named number one contender.

While the title bouts do not include Pinoy fighters, Filipino MMA is still featured prominently in the event with two fights.



"The Hurricane" Looks to Top MMA Debut with Win Over "Athena"

Ann "Athena" Osman vs. Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton

Twenty days after receiving a special award from the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton (1-0) takes on the pride of Malaysian WMMA, Ann Osman (0-1). Ana was recognized last August in Las Vegas, "For being the only athlete, male or female, to be competing at elite levels in both boxing and MMA", and looks to cap off her big month with a win over "Athena".

Ana winning 2014 Special Achievement Award from Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. Article by the Asian Journal. Photos from Ana Julaton's official Facebook page.

The upcoming bout will be the second for the two-time World Champion in boxing, as she won her debut by knocking out Aya Saber at ONE FC: Rise of Heroes last May in Manila.



"The Spawn" Debuts against Dubai FC Champion

Vaughn "The Spawn" Donayre vs. Mohamad Walid

A little higher up in ONE FC's Dubai card will be Vaughn "The Spawn" Donayre, who will be making his debut for the organization. Currently sporting a pro-MMA record of 7-1, Vaughn will compete against Dubai FC champion Mohamad Walid (3-0) in a catch-weight bout.

While Walid is only 21 years old, he already holds the title of Dubai's best fighter. An undefeated welterweight, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt and Karate black belt will also have something of a size advantage over Donayre, as "The Spawn" usually competes at lightweight.

Vaughn "The Spawn" Donayre. Photo from The Spawn's Facebook page.

A pro since 2010, Vaughn, from Cebu, relocated to the UAE several months ago to pursue MMA full time, seeking more training and a chance to compete more internationally. An accomplished fighter who represented Deftac Cebu locally, he now trains out of the Champions Club in Dubai. Apart from starting his pro-career by winning seven straight fights, he is also an accomplished Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, winning the gold in the 2010 Pan Asian Games.

Support Pinoy fighters Ana "The Hurricane" Julaton and Vaughn "The Spawn" Donayre by catching ONE FC: Reign of Champions on August 29 at the Dubai World Trade Center or live on pay-per-view at www.ONEFC.livesport.tv.

Team Lakay Fighters Ready for Combat at PXC 44

While most Pinoy MMA fans will be paying close attention to Roldan Sangcha-an as he makes his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut in Auckaland, New Zealand, "The Executioner" will not be the only Pinoy fighter going in for combat over the weekend. Crisanto Pitpitunge (5-3) and Troy Bantiag (5-3), Sangcha-an's teammates from Team Lakay, will have their own bouts at PXC 44 this June 27th across the pond in Guam.


'The Slugger" Starting Road Back to the Title 

Duenas vs. Pipitunge. Photo property of PXC.

Pipitunge, a former Pacific Xtreme Combat bantamweight champion, will be facing Josh Duenas (4-4) of Saipan in a three-round flyweight affair. With his most recent PXC outing resulting in a third-round submission lost at the  hands of Han Bin Park at PXC 41, fans can expect "The Slugger" to be looking to bounce back in dominant fashion and get his name back into title contention.

Duenas has evenly split the wins and losses of his total eight pro fights, with the most recent being a victory by way of submission. Despite the slightly lower win percentage, it must be taken not of that all four of Duenas' victories have come in the form of a stoppage. While a true challenge, Pinoy MMA fans can expect Pipitunge to go into battle in true Team Lakay fashion, backed by months of hardwork and an exceptional unwillingness to yield.


Bantiag Hunting for Big Win

Aguon v. Bantiag. Photo property of PXC.

Like Pipitunge, Bantiag will for the first time be competing outside of the Philippines, taking on Guam’s Kyle Aguon. While "The Hunter" will likely not have the live crowd's support going up against a Guam-based competitor, many can expect Bantiag to be fighting with a great sense of urgency as he looks to snap a two-fight losing skid with a victory in a bout with title implications.


Despite his last fight being a loss, Aguon last competed against current bantamweight champion Michinori Tanaka, and a win against Bantiag will immediately get him back in title contention. With different, yet both high, stakes in the fight for both competitors, many expect the great blend of speed and skill commonly associated with the lighter weight classed to be on full display for this bout.

Pacific X-Treme Combat 44.

Pacific X-treme Combat 44

Pacific Xtreme Combat 44 will be held on June 27 at the UOG Filedhouse in Mangilao, Guam, headlined by a five-round bout between Josh Calvo and Zebaztian Kadestam for the vacant PXC Welterweight Championship.

ONE FC: Potential to Change the Whole Game

Got some news that ONE FC and Japanese MMA promotion DREAM have agreed to an agreement.

Full article found here: MMA in Asia

Basically, there is an agreement between ONE FC and Dream to co-promote events and fighter exchanges.

What makes this exciting is that it can provide Filipino Fighters like Eduard Folayang more exposure when fighting for a promotion like DREAM. It is a big step to showcase how good Filipino Fighters are and even more in front of one of the most intellectual MMA fans.

I'm really excited for this.

ONE Fighting Championship Sign Unbeaten Filipino Fighters

ONE Fighting Championship Sign Unbeaten Filipino Fighters Kevin Belingon, Roy Docyogen and Honorio Banario.

Check out more details in the BloodyElbow.com.

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/11/18/2570529/one-fighting-championship-sign-unbeaten-filipino-fighters-kevin