Kelly, Folayang highlight URCC’s ‘Dekada’

MANILA, Philippines - Eric Kelly and Eduard Folayang, two of the country’s best home-grown mixed martial arts talents, will highlight the Colt 45 Universal Reality Combat Championship 22 dubbed “Dekada” on Dec. 1 at the MOA Arena in celebration of the local fight organization’s 10th anniversary.

Folayang will clash with American Lowen Tynanes of Australia’s MMA promotion King of the Cage in a lightweight bout while Kelly, the reigning URCC featherweight champion, will face off with Brad Terrey of Phuket Top Team in the featured pair of the blockbuster fight card.

“We expect nothing but excitement because we’re headlining two of the country’s top MMA fighters in Folayang and Kelly,” said URCC founder Alvin Aguilar in yesterday’s press conference at the Padi’s Point in Mall of Asia.

“Fight fans can also expect nothing short of spectacular because we’ve also gathered some of the URCC’s top stars and champions from all weight classes, including four divisions where titles will be put on the line,” he added.

Greg Anonas, Asia Brewery’s marketing manager, has reiterated the firm’s all-out support to URCC.

“Colt 45 has been supporting URCC for years now because we believe it’s the best fight organization in the country and one of the best in Asia,” said Anonas. “And URCC 22: Dekada is a proof that URCC will continue to produce more talents in the years to come.”

Focus will be on Folayang and Kelly, who are set to vie for title cracks in the Singapore-based ONE Fighting Championship at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 1 next year.

“I hope I will not disappoint my countrymen,” said Folayang, also a former Southeast Asian Games wushu gold medalist and Asian Games veteran.

As they celebrate their 10th anniversary, URCC will also feature some of the rising stars in the 10-fight event presented by Colt 45 and sponsored by Xplay, Anzahl, Solar Sports, Chris Sports, VRP Medical Center.
“We’re not only going to showcase the already household names but also several rising stars,” added Aguilar.

Jessie Rafols of d’elements will stake his bantamweight crown against Kieff Mangusan of Baguio Top Team while Froilan Sarenas will defend his middleweight title against Rodrigo Praxedes of Brazil.

Also featured in the event is Eric Kelly of Yawyan Ardigma who will be fighting Brad Terrey of Phuket Top Team in the featherweight tussle. Tickets are now available at SM Tickets (470-2222). Action starts at 8 p.m.