Heroes will Rise: ONE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP - RISE OF HEROES

One Fighting Championship, the world's most exciting mixed martial arts promotion makes it's way back to Manila with ONE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP - RISE OF HEROES.

On May 2, 2014 at the Mall of Asia Arena, MMA warriors collide as BIBIANO "The Flash" FERNANDES defends his ONE FC Bantamweight World Championship against top contender Japanese mixed martial arts sensation Masakatsu Ueda.

Also, catch pinoy favorites Eduard Folayang, Rey Docyogen and Eugene Toquero as they grace the cage and show what Pinoy MMA is all about.

So come on down to the Mall of Asia Arena on May 2, 2014 to support our local fighters and enjoy on helluva MMA show.

Catch the action by reserving you tickets here. Also, visit the ONE FC website for more of the World's most exciting MMA events.

I'm Back: Uriah Faber Visits Manila

It's been a while since I wrote something on my blog, but hello there pinoy fighters and I'm back to bring you news, updates, my insights and experiences in MMA.

Recently, I've attended the the iBlog 10 and it once again inspired me to write on my blog and also gave me the thought that there's still not a lot of MMA bloggers in the Philippines.

With that , thanks to MMA Philippines I recently attend an MMA seminar with UFC Bantamweight "The California Kid" Uriah Faber last March 30, 2014 at the Ultimate Fitness Gym at Metrowalk, Pasig.

A true ambassador of the sport, Uriah Faber visited the Philippines in what he said was a way to experience the country as well as look at the future of MMA. He mentioned that he is excited that MMA is growing as a global sport and much more excited that Filipinos are part of the next generation of MMA fighters.

During his MMA seminar, Uriah taught us most of the basic things he did in training, from setting up offense after faints and fakes, to basic positions on the ground and best of all the Team Alpha Male special of various chokes.

It was a wonderful experience and as a big fan of Uriah Faber all I can say is more power and hope you get that UFC strap you've been training and fighting so hard for.

PXC BRINGS BEST MMA ACTION IN THE REGION TO THE BIG DOME ON NOVEMBER 17th!

Pacific X-treme Combat (PXC), the premier MMA organization in the Philippines and Asia-Pacific region, has announced its biggest show to date to take place on November 17th at the famous Araneta Coliseum (aka “The Big Dome”) in Manila, Philippines. Headlining the star-studded international fight card will be some of the top rising stars of MMA from the Philippines, as well as Hawaii, Guam, Japan & Korea. The event is expected to draw thousands of MMA fans from all corners of the Philippines, and along with being broadcast live nation-wide on AKTV via IBC-13, the event will stream online for the world to experience as well!

PXC produced 2 events at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater in 2011 before relocating the show to The Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City to produce 4 stellar events. On September 1st, PXC-33 broke new ground for MMA in the Philippines with almost 500,000 viewers of the live broadcast on AKTV and a sold-out Ynares Arena.
According to PXC’s CEO, E.J. Calvo, “We are extremely excited about the move to Araneta. Our fighters have worked hard and performed well, and deserve the exposure this event will bring. PXC, as an organization, has grown leaps and bounds over a decade, and there is no doubt PXC can stand up against any MMA promotion in the region right now.”
Calvo added, “Our goal is to continue to grow PXC for the benefit of MMA fans in the Philippines, as well as for the long-term growth of the sport in the entire region.”

In less than 2 years since PXC arrived in the Philippines, the promotion has clearly been established as the premier MMA organization in the country. Along with media co-production partner, AKTV, the sports channel of TV5, PXC has successfully built a mainstream viewing audience for the first time, attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers during nation-wide broadcasts of the MMA events. PXC is also one of the only MMA leagues outside of Japan sending fighters to The UFC, and continuously signing the best up and coming talent in Asia.

Over the last 3 months, PXC has released 2 of their top fighters to The UFC, and anticipates that several more will get the same opportunity over the next year or so. PXC Welterweight Champ, Hyun Gyu Lim, and Lightweight standout, Jon Tuck, were signed by The UFC to compete in their upcoming event in Macau on November 10th. PXC prides themselves on recruiting and showcasing the best up and coming MMA talent in the Asia-Pacific region, but also has been known to feature elite fighters from Brazil, Europe, Canada, and various areas of the US.

PXC has also treated fans by flying in Filipino-American stars of the sport, including Brandon Vera and Mark Munoz, to coach their gym mates from California, as well as “Big John” McCarthy to referee bouts and hold seminars with officials, meet fans, and promote MMA in the Philippines.

PXC-34 will be the 7th show in the Philippines for the Guam-based organization, and it is expected to elevate MMA in the Philippines to yet another level. Headlining the event will be the Philippines’ own, Ale “The Young Gun” Cali, the current Flyweight Champ, and prominent fighter and coach, Erwin Tagle.
PXC VP/Matchmaker, Eli Monge, stated, “We anticipate that several fighters on the card will be top prospects for The UFC in the near future, so it will be exciting to see them compete on their way up! PXC fighters to look out for include the Harris Sarmiento, Eugene Toquero, Russell Doane and Mark Striegl.”

PXC is presented by San Mig Strong Ice and Sports 5. With special thanks to E-Games, Fitness First, FHM Philippines, FHM.com.ph, Premiere Condoms, Healthway Agility Phil, Beer Below Zero, Real Sports Radio, and Loqal.ph.

For more information on PXC, check out www.pxc.com.ph or www.facebook.com/pxcmma.

MMA growth in Asia led by regional promotions

www.mixedmartialarts.com Regional promotions like Pacific X-treme Combat are setting the stage for a resurgence of mixed martial arts in Asia.  Instead of focusing solely on Japan, as was the case with past promotions like PrideFC and DREAMFC, today the most forward-looking companies are developing the sport in the Pacific Rim and China. 

 “If you look at the entire area, originally Japan was the only Asian country that was into MMA and then it kind of died out,” said legendary referee “Big” John McCarthy after officiating PXC 33 in Manila, which took place on September 1st 2012. McCarthy was referring to the serial demise of the two dominant Japanese promotions of the last 15 years, Pride FC, which shut down in 2007, and Fighting Entertainment Group, which produced DREAMFC and ceased operations in February 2012.  Despite the troubles of MMA in Japan, McCarthy sees opportunities for MMA in other parts of Asia because of the existing culture of martial arts and the increasing popularity of the lighter weight classes. “Now all the other countries in Asia are becoming involved and have so many good young lighter weight fighters that its just a matter of time before you see a lot of the top guys coming out of Asia again.”
McCarthy said he was surprised at how enthusiastic the fans in Manila were in the days leading up to PXC 33. “They are nuts about MMA, I’ve never been to a country where I was mobbed by more people everywhere I went than the Philippines, cooks coming out of the kitchen at the restaurants I'm eating at to meet me and things like that. It was amazing. They’re a fighting culture.”
The Philippines have long had a record of excellence with Boxing and the biggest boxing star in the world, six time World Champion, Manny Pacquiao hails from the island nation and is even a member of the Filipino congress.

PXC promoter EJ Calvo has high hopes for the roster of fighters his promotion is helping to develop in the Philippines.  PXC has prides itself as an incubator for the next generation of talent and as the place for fans to watch future superstars in the early stages of their careers before they break out in the UFC. “Our Flyweight, Bantamweight, Lightweight and Featherweight divisions are all full of young talent from the Philippines and with more experience against elite fighters from the region, we expect that the Philippines will produce some of the world's toughest, as it has in Boxing."   One name that stood out from PXC 33 was undefeated Filipino featherweight Mark Striegel.  Striegel submitted his opponent early in the first round and McCarthy predicted that fans would see him in the UFC within the year.

Calvo notes his promotions record of developing talent, instead of signing aging stars on the downside of their careers, a practice he criticizes in some of PXC’s competitors in the region.   PXC, he says, is where to see young hungry fighters on their way up. "We've released 2 of our top fighters to The UFC within the last three months including John Tuck who is competing in the UFC’s huge show in Macau on Nov 10th.  We fully anticipate that others will be getting similar opportunities soon. PXC focuses on match-ups between the Asia-Pacific region's elite fighters, and our fans love to see rising talent climbing the rankings! There's so much talent in the Asia-Pacific that PXC will always have a stacked card with future stars on the rise."
About PXC: Since is debut in 2004 Pacific X-treme Combat has produced over 50 professional and amateur events and is one of the longest running promotions in mixed martial arts.  Based on the island of Guam, PXC recently signed a major TV deal with TV5 for the Philippines, airing free-to-air nationwide. The most recent broadcast, PXC-33 in September, recorded almost 500,000 viewers in the Philippines during live broadcast.  PXC 34 will take place live in Manila in November and is planned to be PXC’s biggest event to date.

The post was from   http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/news/423167/MMA-growth-in-Asia-led-by-regional-promotions/ by The Ratel | source: pacificxtremecombat.com

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

Team Lakay’s ARSENAL Event to be held on the 10th of December

Like many MMA pundits in the Philippines believe, when it comes to building fresh young talent in the fight scene, very few countries do it as well as the good people from the Philippines. Well of course that's the belief of a Filipino such as myself. However, with an event such as Team Lakay’s ARSENAL -4th Team Lakay Elimination tournament, it’s quite hard to disagree.

The event will see a total of 12 fights, 6 of which will be Wushu Xanda and the other 6 will be MMA bouts. The event is a great way for Team Lakay to scout for new talent and possibly even more pro caliber fighters to add to their already deep pool of talent. The following is the fight card for this weekend’s event.

Amateur MMA

Troy Bantiag (UC Wushu) VS Kevin Yonga-an (UB Wushu) 62kg

Jone Lapicto (Lakay Central Gym) VS Jonel Borbon (Cavite) 59kg

Tristan Rebuyaco (Lakay Central Gym) VS Charly Manganon (CCDC Wushu) 60kg

Dave Galera (Lakay Central Gym) VS Piayas Guzman (UB Wushu) 64kg

Denver Dingcawat (Shape Right) VS Jack Suldayan (Contender Gym) 55kg

Ren Marinias (Vitalite Gym) VS Chrysler Ekid (MPSPC) 52kg

Wushu Xanda

Benito Amado (UC Wushu) VS Manuel Silvano (Manila) 56kg

Jean Claude Saclag (UC Wushu ) Froilan Chopchopen(UB Wushu) 54kg

Arnold Agapito VS Edray Buking (Contender Gym) 66 kg

Lito Adiwang (UB Wushu) VS Ryan Capan (San Fernando) 53kg

Jhaymie Gayman (La Trinidad) VS Enrili Amangao (Kalinga) 55kg

Dawn Max Takayeng VS Joshua Pacio (San Fernando) 56kg

Biondi Dayangadang (Shape Right) VS Norman Pacase (CCDC) 56 kg

For more information on the event as well as on Team Lakay, you can find them at the following:

http://www.teamlakay.com.ph

http://www.twitter.com/TeamLakay

http://www.facebook.com/LakayMMA

Too Bad I won't be in Baguio to catch this event, but good luck to all the fighters and I'd looking forward to see you guys fight soon.

UFC Magazine 2011 November

I'm such a fool for magazines. While a lot of people think that reading, much more buying a magazine is a big waste, for me I find it very informative and relaxing to read magazines that have topics which I really enjoy, such as Men's Health Magazines. Moreover, I do read them again and again so it really doesn't matter that I spent more that a 100 pesos on some of my magazines.

Recently, I bought the second outing of the official UFC magazine in the Philippines, it is published by ABS-CBN publishing co. I actually bought the first one as well, where GSP was the cover. For the second one it was Jon "Bones" Jones.

Like the first magazine, the information was a little late as for this current issue Cain Velasquez was still the UFC Heavyweight Champ, where in fact he already lost to Junior Dos Santos at UFC on Fox 1. But it was okay, I still enjoyed the article about the 7 UFC Champions.

Like the first one there were articles on local celebrities as well, but I have to say how can you go wrong with articles on Bangs Garcia, Sam Pinto and Derek Ramsey. It was cool to see how much they know about MMA and the UFC.

Ultimately it was a good read, from the various articles to the pictures and workouts in the magazine, I can really let go that the information in not that updated but it's more than okay. If your into magazines like me I actually would recommend this magazine.