CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano fight fans brace themselves for an exciting mixed martial arts (MMA) action as the Ground & Pound VI:Invincible unwraps tonight at the Cebu Coliseum.
Two championship belts are up for grabs in the first professional MMA card in Cebu presented by Yaw-Yan Cebu ArDigma Martial Arts Federation, Inc. Founder and CEO Master Benigno "Ekin" R. Caniga, Jr. and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
In the main event of the slambang show, Cebu's hometown pride Mark 'The Terminator' Araneta of Team UMMA-Mandaue will be locking up horns with Lorde Rey 'The Punisher' Yamit of Butuan Extreme MMA for the GNP lightweight crown.
Surprisingly, the two warriors, who figured in a verbal tussle during the final press conference last Thursday, were very cordial and civil to each other during yesterday's official weigh-in at the Cebu Coliseum.
“I have a great respect for Araneta. I know he trained hard and I also trained hard so let’s just see who will survive the war inside the ring,” said Yamit, who tipped in the scales at 159 lbs., six pounds heavier than Araneta.
“Both of us are aiming for knockout and both of us prepared for this fight, so may the best man win,” said Araneta, who sports a 5-2 win-loss record with all of his wins via stoppage. Yamit parades a 7-3 card packed with 5KOs.
In the equally-explosive supporting main event, Renan "Limbas" Noblefranca of Yaw-Yan ArDigma Cebu Top Team will collide with Steve "D' Lightning" Sevilleno of Team MUMMA-Manila in a grudge rematch of sort for the YFCC bantamweight crown.
A historic "Founder vs. Founder" match-up is also something to watch out for as Soma Kickboxing Club's Allan “The Dancing Man” Epile will take on his long-time rival Ben “Durex Warrior” Torbiso of Durex Dragon KBC in a special bout.
Aside from Noblefranca, the other members of the Yaw-Yan ArDigma Cebu Top Team who will be showcasing their fighting skills include Keith 'Ice' Acapulco, Roel 'Akiyama' Rosauro, and Lemuel 'Musang' Maglinte.
Acapulco will go up against Ryan Salomon, Rosauro will mix it up with Israel Gomez, while Maglinte will have his baptism of fire in the MMA world against Zoren Pescador.
The rest of the card pits James ‘Sniper’ Roiles of Yaw-Yan Hurricane vs. Carlos Mabilin of Team MUMMA; Ronilo 'Buffalo' Esfra of Arcomjukai vs. Jonathan 'Mata De Leo' Esquierdo; Dodong 'Tiger' Jagare of Red Dragon MMA vs. Urtych 'The Machine' Alarin of Butuan Extreme MMA; Nelson 'D Hammer' Navarete vs. Brian Paciete; and Kirk 'Wild' Florida of ATC Club vs. Teoderic 'Kid' Batuon.
Tickets are reasonably priced at P150 for the upper box, P300 for the lower box, P500 for the ringside and P1,000 for the VIP section.
For more inquiries, one may contact 255-8919, 255-1405 or 0932-4524999. (FREEMAN)