Team Estroso Returns for 3-on-3 Match at URCC XXX

August 11, 2017MMA Phil Contributor

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URCC’s Team Fighting Championship among URCC XXX’s Attractions

The cage looked a little too crowded from any point of the Marriott Grand Ballroom. Six fighters engaging in a brawl as three uniformed men look on. This is unlike any we have seen in Philippine MMA. But this is the URCC, and the most compelling things can happen.

On August 12, this same scenario is bound to take place in a bigger venue, specifically at the historic Araneta Coliseum. Last edition’s winners, Team Estroso, will be facing a new set of animals spearheaded by Mark Gatmaitan.

Team captain Sugar Ray Estroso, who surprised everyone with his game-changing strategy the last time out, will be joined once again by Patrick Dos Santos. Completing the group is Iyoy Espinosa, the guy who eliminated Dos Santos in that match. On the other end, Jovit Laxamana and Brian Paule team up with Gatmaitan.
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URCC 28: Vindication Photos and Recap

November 8, 2016MMA Phil Contributor

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De Tomas, Lee, Bulaong, and Hofmann continue in their winning ways

The Marriot Grand Ballroom once again became host to a historic Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) fight night on Sunday, November 6, 2016 which featured the Fight Farm Finale, four championship bouts and the first-ever 3-on-3 exhibition match in the Philippines.

Fight Farm Finale

Jiar “Twister” Castillo proved that he is the top flyweight prospect as he got the unanimous nod from the judges to become the inaugural Fight Farm flyweight champion. The storied one-eyed-fighter seemed sharp as he went toe-to-toe against KO machine, Norman Agcopra.

The reality show featured fighters from the Academy Fighting Championship (AFC) and was shown on ABS-CBN Sports+Action.

Middleweight Championship

Light heavyweight champion Chris Hofmann showed John “Outlaw” Adajar how moving down a division won’t mess with his knockout power. With only three weeks to prepare, Hofmann dropped down 19 lbs to meet the welterweight Adajar at 185 lbs.

Hofmann dropped Adajar with a flying knee which forced the challenger to verbally submit 1:18 of the second round.

Post-fight, the now two-division URCC champion expressed his desire to be on the URCC San Francisco card in January.

Women’s Flyweight Championship

Filipina fighter Geli Bulaong became the first URCC women’s flyweight champion as she dominated Yan Qui Hui of China.

Referee Franco Rulloda was forced to stop the fight after a ground and pound flurry from Bulaong held the Chinese Sanda veteran helpless in the final seconds of the first round.
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Fight Con Recap: Heavy Rains Don’t Stop Fights

July 5, 2016July 8, 2016MMA Phil Contributor

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Fight Con 2016 is the First of Many Fight Cons to Come

Heavy rains were no match against Fight Con last July 2, 2016. The Amoranto Theatre was packed with fight fans who witnessed the first fight and conditioning convention in the Philippines. It was a day full of activities geared towards making a change in the full-contact sport scene and MMA Philippines was there to be part of the action.

Coach Erwin Tagle of Ultimate Fitness talked about FightForm – a fitness program incorporating moves from boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and MMA. Fight fans were eager to learn about the program as they took on the fitness challenge held after his talk. Legendary Coach Mark Sangiao of Team Lakay also graced the event with the story of how a humble gym from the mountains of Benguet became the breeding ground for UFC-calibre fighters.

Coach Mark Sangiao

It was a star-studded night as local legends, celebrities, and fighters, including Team Lakay’s Eduard Folayang, URCC light heavyweight champ Chris Hofmann, and former URCC champion Hideo Morikawa, were present to be part of this historic event. Presidential son Baste Duterte also showed his support leaving a very basic message to everyone: “Yes to sports. Yes to music. No to drugs!”
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