Explosive URCC MMA fights slated tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - Alvin Aguilar, founder and president of the country’s longest-running mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion, the Universal Reality Combat Championships, expects another high-octane action as four battle-tested fighters clash for two interim titles in the Colt 45-URCC 23 tomorrow at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

“This is the first time in five years that two of the country’s top clubs will be fighting each other,” said Aguilar referring to the main event that features Red Romero of DEFTAC and Dave Galera of Lakay Wushu MMA.

Romero, known for his solid striking, battles submission specialist in Galera for the URCC bantamweight title in the event dubbed as “Unrivaled”.

The winner of the event also sponsored by Chris Sports, Tribal Gear, Bulls and Anzahl Paints will face the exciting Jessie Rafols in the next URCC card. 

Though Romero is the more experienced fighter, he can’t take Galera lightly since the rising Lakay Wushu fighter is undefeated in four fights, including a sensational first round submission win over Kieff Mangusan.

The co-main event of the 10-fight card also backed by Solar Sports, Uno Magazine, Juice.ph, Red Box and Optima will see Will “The Kill” Chope – the tallest featherweight warrior in the Asian region at 6-foot-4 – staking his 10-match streak against Andrew Benibe for the interim featherweight title.

Whoever emerges as the winner in the Benibe-Chope duel, will face Ricardo “El Matador” Sapno in order to unify the belts.  Sapno was pencilled to meet Chope but the former pulled out due to personal obligations that require his full attention. 

Tickets for the event are also available at SM Tickets (470-2222). 

In the supporting cards, it will be Froilan Sarenas vs Arvin Chan, Roy Doliquez vs Lito Adiwang, Suri Guga vs Onyok Transmonte, Mark Somes vs Melchor Cases, Qing Long vs MJ Abrillo, Fei Guo Lin vs Alvin Ramirez, Edmund Velasco vs Angelito Manguray and Rex Lara vs Vaughn Donayre.