Romero stakes URCC crown vs Malaysian

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning featherweight titlist Reydon Romero and Alvin Ramirez set out for a mission today as they take on a pair of equally explosive foreign rivals in the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) 26: Domination at the Fontana Conventional Hall in Clark, Pampanga.

Romero defends his URCC belt against Malaysian Jian Kai Chee in the main event of the 10-fight card organized by URCC,  the country’s biggest MMA competition.

Ramirez, on the other hand, goes up against Japanese Hideo Morikawa for the vacant flyweight title of the event sponsored by Fontana, Tribal Gear, Solar Sports, Robust, Sound Brothers & Pink Productions.

The Japanese fighter, who holds a black belt in karate, has 7-3 record in URCC while the veteran Ramirez, who has a 6-6 mark, is expected to use his experience and knockout power to finally nail a title.

The event, which starts at 6:30 p.m. also features defending bantamweight champion Andrew Benibe who will stake his title against the dangerous Jerson “Salleng” Estoro in a fight URCC founder Alvin Aguilar expects to be a close call.

“The fight between Benibe and Estoro is also tipped to be a crowd drawer. MMA fans have been longing to see Benibe and Estoro fight each other so we are giving them what they want,” said Aguilar.

Aguilar said the seven other undercards are worth watching, especially Carlo Laurel and CJ de Tomas with the winner gaining a shot at fighting against the winner between Ramirez and Morikawa.

Also on tap is the showdown between female fighters – local bet Dolores Meek and Chinese Yang Xiao Nan.

Other undercards: Chris Hofmann vs Jeremias Tan, Mark Palomar vs Sam Mison, Drez Zamboanga vs Korean Do-Kyum Lee, Arvin Chan vs Isiah Ordiz, and Ruel Rio vs Bernard Soriano.