Yaw-Yan fighters to invade US

CEBU, Philippines -  The Cebu-based Yaw-Yan ArDigma Martial Arts Federation, Inc. reaches another milestone in the field of Mixed Martial Arts as it taps two elite fighters to compete in the United States.

Yaw-Yan Fighting Challenge Championship (YFCC) junior lightweight champion Renan ‘Limbas’ Noblefranca and the undefeated Jordan ‘Labuyo’ Balcita are both raring to showcase their skills against foreign fighters.

Headed by Yaw-Yan Cebu ArDigma Founder and CEO Master Benigno “Ekin” R. Caniga, Jr. and his prized son Johnlery Caniga, who is also an international MMA champion, the Yaw-Yan ArDigma Cebu Top Team will leave for the US on November 5 and will start their campaign in Sacramento, California.

"This will be the first time that Cebuano fighters will join an MMA tournament in the US and hopefully we will have a good result in the series of tournaments that we will be joining in,” said Master Ekin.

“We are proud to represent the country. I know that it will not be an easy competing against the big guys, but I have faith in them (Noblefranca and Balcita),” he added.

In his recent match, Noblefranca displayed superb kickfighting ability in knocking out Marjun "Muma Warrior" Porriento at the 1:57 mark of the opening round to defend his YFCCbelt during the Ground and Pound (GPC) 7: Resolution last August 30 at the Cebu Coliseum.

“Nag-training dayon ko after sa GPC para ani nga chance nga moduwa sa US. Ako paningkamoton nga makahatag og garbo sa Cebu,” said the 22-year-old Noblefranca.

For his part, the La Union-native Balcita is very grateful for the chance given to him to strut his wares on the  international stage. “Pasalamat ako kay Master sa chance na binigay n’ya at ipapangako ko na gagawin ko ang lahat para manalo.”

Balcita stopped Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) veteran Johnjier ‘Dangerous’ Torbiso of  Durex Dragon Kickboxing Club at 1:59 of  the second round in his last fight five months ago at the Artemio Masbate Sports Complex in San Remigio North of Cebu. He is supposed to compete in the GPC-7, but the bout was cancelled as his opponent withdrew due to injury.  (FREEMAN)