Fil-Am fighter vows big MMA comeback

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Am MMA fighter Mark Streigl can’t wait to return to the ring and show the world he’s back in his A-game following a numbing loss to Korean Jang Yong Kim.

Streigl, who saw his 12-match winning streak snapped last September when he lost to Jang via leg scissors choke in the third round of their Pacific X-Treme Combat 39 at the Ynares Arena, said he’s been training harder than ever to regain his old form.

“Things like that happen to each and everyone of us; it’s how you respond that’s most important,” the 25-year-old Streigl told The STAR yesterday.

After the painful setback, Streigl was supposed to fight Ev Ting last month but the duel was scrapped after the latter failed to make weight. It was supposed to be a rematch of their February 2012 Legend FC encounter, which Streigl won via rear-naked choke.

“In my last fight, my opponent Ev Ting failed to make weight and came in seven pounds overweight. The fight was cancelled since he was way over,” said Streigl.

Streigl, who is fighting out of Team Buffet, will highlight the PXC’s next fightcard in Manila this February against a still to be determined opponent and vowed to all out, thinking of nothing but an impressive victory.

He said he intends to capitalize on his strong ground game.

“My ground game is my bread and butter since I come from a wrestling background. I am currently working very hard to improve my striking,” said Streigl, who started out in taekwondo before transitioning to wrestling and MMA.

So powerful is Streigl’s ground and pound that 10 of his 12 victories were won via submissions.

There is no doubt that despite his defeat to Jang, Streigl remains one of the best Filipino fighters who have a legitimate chance of making it into the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the world’s top fight outfit.

In fact, there were some whisperings that the UFC almost tapped Streigl into its fold had he won over Jang.

Streigl, though, remains focused on just becoming a better fighter each day.

“It’s my goal to fight in the UFC and represent the Philippines,” said Streigl.

If Streigl ends up making the UFC, which has expanded its reach to Asia after holding events in Korea, Japan and Macau, China this year and will visit Southeast Asia for the first time in Singapore early next year, he will join fellow Fil-Ams Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Muñoz and Brandon Vera.

“I’ve met Mark Muñoz but unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to train with him. I have trained with Brandon Vera in the past though. Hopefully, I could join them in the UFC in the future,” he said.

The road to the UFC continues in February for Streigl.

“No injuries right now. I’m feeling great and will be ready to bring it in February,” he said.