Last Saturday, my friend/”sole” sister Madz and I was at the 15^th installation of Universal Reality Combat Championship dubbed, “Onslaught.”  This time it was staged at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.  Thank goodness that the World Pyro Olympics was staged at the Fort or we would have been caught in heavy traffic.

 

We came in a bit late (1^st round already started) but thank goodness, Jerome had two seats saved and we were able to find relatively good seats in the elevated PHP 300-ticket area (last time we paid for VIP seats at PHP 1K++, I strained my neck.  Downside of PHP300 -rowdy drunk guys who make never-ending speculative commentaries and a fool of themselves).

 

 

FIGHT RESULTS

 

1. Hideo Morikawa (Kyokushinkai) vs Ramonito Pabroa (d’ Elements)

Result: Morikawa won via armbar

 

2. Alvin Ramirez (Yaw Yan Buhawi) vs Roy Docyogen (Lakay Wushu)

Result: Docyogen won by unanimous decision

 

3. Lando Espinosa (Elorde MMA) vs George Lusadan (Lakay Wushu)

Result:

 

4. Sabah Fadai (DEFTAC Cebu/Revolution Fight Team) vs Aden Zarco (Benibe MMA)

Result: Fadai won via KO

 

5. Jlimar Tanagayan (Cenojas MMA) vs Mags Gonzales (Oriental Negros Top Team)

Result:

 

6. Eric Kelly (Yaw Yan Ardigma) vs Luke Mark Catubig (Oriental Negros Top Team)

Result:

 

7. Marcus Valda (DEFTAC) vs Vincent Pajaro (Hybrid Yaw Yan)

Result: Valda won via TKO.  Pajaro’s corner throws in the towel.

 

8. Ali Khatibi (DEFTAC) vs Andrew Benibe (Benibe MMA)

Result: Stoppage by the doctor due to accidental eye gouge.  Khatibi retains title.

 

9. Caloy Baduria (Elorde MMA) vs Zhang Tie Quan (Black Tiger Team China)

Result: Zhang won via armbar

 

10. Mark Sangiao (Lakay Wushu) vs Justin Cruz (Spike 22)

Result: Cruz won via guillotine choke

 

 

——————————————————————————————————

 

I wasn’t able to take that many photos unlike last time because I wanted to concentrate on the fights.  I was able to take a few during the earlier bouts.

 
This got to be one of the best fight card, even the undercard fights were action-awesome.  One undercard that Gracie Barra Cebu contender won had half the body of Zarco flying out of the ring with his kick.  It was indeed a great kick catapulting your opponent between the ropes knocked out.  It’s another thing though to add insult to injury by taunting a man in stupor.

 

 

I think there were 4 title-ridden MMA bouts –the last 4 fights that started off with Marcus Valda and Vincent Pajaro squaring off.  I really liked the pre-fight video presented prior to introducing the fighters –gives some off-the-ring drama and humanizes the fighters a bit (it’s sick how some drunkards go there and rally the fighters like they’re in a cockpit watching roosters slash each other until they bleed out.)  The fighters are athletes too, you know.  Some of them are really technically adept and not only there to gut it out.

 

 

As soon as the bell clonked, my good friend Marcus (SEA Games wrestling champ in two categories) immediately took control of the match.  He dominated position against then heavyweight champion Pajaro from the Hybrid Yaw Yan team.  He got Pajaro’s back and unleashed damaging punches to the head.  Pajaro momentarily escaped the disadvantaged position and was able to get back on his feet.  But Marcus had something up his rashguard sleeve when he took Pajaro down like he was only fighting a featherweight champ.  Marcus did an incredible suplex, which is basically an offensive move used in professional sport wrestling where you pick up your opponent off the ground and then using the large portion of his own body weight to drive him down.  The whole crowd ooh-ed and aah-ed in astonishment.  Marcus had great base that toppled Pajaro’s strength of trying to put him off.  He held Pajaro down with full control.  He took his time and let loose few more harmful blows to Pajaro’s face.  Finally, Pajaro’s corner threw in the towel –literally in the middle of the ring.  Referee stopped the fight.

 

 

The Khatibi and Benibe fight was the most cautious match –with both fighters measuring the other without quite an offensive attack.  Benibe at one point accidentally kneed Khatibi’s groin area.  Later on, Khatibi accidentally poked Benibe’s eyes.  The doctor didn’t want Benibe to continue.  Without a decisive result, Khatibi retained the title.

 

 

Co-main event round, Caloy “Bad Boy” Baduria looked ready for his opponent returning from China –coming from a light heavyweight division win against Remand Lazaro.  Both fighters weren’t strangers to each other as they have seen the same determined eyes in the ring before.  Zhang Tie Quan won the first meet against Baduria.  …and he won the 2^nd meet last Saturday via armbar.  It’s surprising that Baduria hasn’t learned how to defend against that strategy and still somehow gave away his arm.  This is not the first time he has tapped out due to an armbar trap.

 

 

The main event is the excellently conditioned Mark Sangiao pitted against the well-rounded Justin Cruz returning from Guam.  I personally like Justin Cruz because he is a seasoned athlete and shows a lot of heart in his fights.  This was the match I was really anticipating, other than Marcus’ URCC debut, because Mark Sangiao has earned my respect too after having an undefeated record (with strong fights) before his first loss in URCC 7, the Art of War, where Filipino MMA fighters were up against Chinese MMA fighters.  That was back in December 2005 –Bubba’s last match as well.  Almost 4 years since I saw Sangiao back in the URCC ring again. 

 

Reigning champ Justin “The Shocker” Cruz of Spike 22 didn’t make it easy for Lakay Wushu’s Sangiao to reclaim the belt he once had.  He once again impressed me by locking in a tight guillotine around Sangiao’s neck –guillotine that actually prevents airflow to the lungs.  It was quite tricky to pull –but Cruz’ execution was done beautifully and successfully.  Sangiao is a formidable foe not known to tap out –but unexpectedly, he did.

 

Enjoyed the show with Team DEFTAC (Jerome, Carlo, Janna, Floyd, newly promoted to purple Toffy and Lai) 

(With Maddie)

 

It was another heart-stopping show.  URCC only gets better as the MMA fighters are more learnt and get more skillful.  Eagerly anticipating the next “Bakbakan na!” event.

 

 

–

 

 

On November 21, 2009, witness Mixed Martial Arts action at its finest! The Universal Reality Combat Championship presents the COLT 45 URCC “Onslaught.” This time, the URCC moves to its new home the World Trade Center! The event boasts of FOUR title bouts! Headed by the Bantamweight titlebout between reigning champ Justin “The Shocker” Cruz of Spike 22 Guam versus former titleholder Mark “The Machine” Sangiao! Almost four years since his last fight inside the URCC ring, Sangiao will try to reclaim the belt he once had. Does he still have it or will Cruz “SHOCK” the highland fighter?  

 

Featured in the Co-Main event fight is the Middleweight title rematch between titleholder Zhang Tie Quan of China versus former champ Caloy “Bad Boy” Baduria. Baduria lost his title to Zhang at last year’s URCC Indestructible event which made people doubt Baduria’s  capability as a formidable Middleweight contender. When Baduria went up to the light heavyweight division at last July’s 14th installment “Aggression,” and severely punished Cuban fighter Remand Lazaro for the belt, he specifically asked for a rematch with Zhang with the goal to be the first to occupy two belts at the URCC. Eight other fights showcase Filipino MMA fighters slugging it out for the chance to be called the best MMA fighter in the country! 

 

Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) is the first professional mixed martial arts event based in the Philippines founded in 2002 by Filipino BJJ fighter Alvin Aguilar, who has been in the underground fighting scene for some time. It is considered a professional sport in the Philippines and is under the supervision of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB). 

 

For tickets, call Ticketnet at 9115555. For more details, call 3810940 or log on to www.urccmma.com. Tickets are also available at Chris Sports, Yoshinoya branches, and thru Globe GCash.

 

This Colt 45 URCC XV “ONSLAUGHT” is presented by:

Colt 45 “The Strong Beer for Real Men”

Also Brought to you by :

Ibuprofen Paracetamol Alaxan FR

Globe Tattoo

Pony

No Fear

E-games

 

–

 

In nuclear strategy, a first strike is a pre-emptive surprise attack employing overwhelming force.  But at last Saturday’s URCC XIV Aggression, Eduard Folayang and AJ Aguon proved that game theories don’t necessarily apply in the ring.  Both fighters launched offensive attacks as well as counterforce that led the decision to the judges’ scorecard.  With a unanimous decision, the SEA Games Champion Eduard Folayang retained his welterweight title keeping his record still UNDEFEATED.

 

 

The Lakay Wushu bet kept his losing record unmoving at 0.  He has won every contest that he fought gathering undeniable respect from Pinoy MMA fight fans.  During URCC XII Supremacy’s main fight, Folayang faced Caloy Baduria from Elorde MMA Team and won that fight with a technical knockout via RSC.  Most expected that the match versus Aguon of Spike 22 who flew in from Guam, will result in the same.  Except that Aguon is made of tougher material. 

 

The other main fight was also a match to talk about.  Marcus Valda supposedly begged off from his first URCC debut due to a medical condition.  Hybrid Yaw-Yan’s Henry Kobayashi was able to tap Remand Lazaro as the replacement for Valda.  Lazaro was plucked to fight Caloy Baduria and he was spirited to fight for the light heavyweight belt.  Lazaro is a Cuban National based in the US who came to the country some months ago to train for his September Art of War stint.  He cross-trains with the Yaw Yan team for kickboxing.  But first and foremost, he is an experienced boxer and MMA fighter with a professional MMA record of 4-0.  It was clearly a good match since Baduria is also a natural boxer.

 

During the fight, Lazaro tried a few times to take down Caloy Baduria but surprisingly, Baduria’s sprawl was more impressive than usual, deterring the attempts of Lazaro to take it to the ground.  Unlike before, Baduria promptly went to his training and worked to improve his grappling skills.  The Yaw Yan fighter attempted again and again to take Baduria down but he was unsuccessful.

 

By chance later in the first round, Lazaro managed to take Baduria down and got to side mount.  Baduria punished Lazaro for that take down and targeted his opponent’s mid-section that affected Lazaro’s breathing.  Lazaro wasn’t doing anything while on the ground and eventually grew tired trying to hold the massive Baduria down.  There wasn’t much going on that the referee had to reset them to standing position.  Lazaro had difficulty standing up and was staggering in his steps.  The ref asked him if he could still continue.  When the ref asked him the third time, he waved his hand to say no (verbal/gesture submission).  He was given an oxygen mask after.

 

First strike goes to Eduard Folayang

 

Eduard Folayang lashed a couple of blows to Aguon’s face that connected.  One hook landed on the Aguon’s face that left a big purplish bruise.  His right side was pretty swollen creating a Mt. Rushmore on that cheek.  Folayang wanted to balance the other cheek by carrying out his punching ammunitions.  Aguon was quick on his feet dodging missiles approaching his direction.  Despite receiving “close low blows” from Folayang’s knees, the Guam fighter never wavered, not even when one actually hit home.  The ref paused the fight allowing Aguon to recover.  Match rules give the fighter a full 5 minutes but Aguon was eager to fight.  He was there to fight and not leisure on a picnic break.  He called off the time and motioned to the ref that he wanted “to get it ON.” 

 

Do not write off just yet the second strike capabilities of Guam.  Unlike the sordid first match of the night where one fighter claimed to be choking on his blood, AJ Aguon wasn’t there to fool around.  He meant business.  And the deal he wants to close, staring him on the face at that moment is Eduard Folayang.  The groin shot wasn’t a deal breaker for him.

 

The other superpower might have a lower level of deterrence response after the first strike.  Aguon unleashed a deadly side step counter blow that left a cut on Folayang’s eye area.  The blood continued to stream down the Wushu fighter’s face that the ref had the cut checked by a doctor.  Folayang is not one to abandon his mission.  With blood flowing down his eye making it extremely difficult for him to see, he braved the fight.

 

The Superfight was an excellent match.  Both players got up from their weakened position and went to war even if it appeared at one point that they were unable to continue.  Each fighter testing each other’s arsenal to the point that survival is a question.  Both fighters were in tiptop shape attempting to destroy each other’s arsenal.

 

The main fight was the best fight I’ve seen in the last four URCCs where both fighters were very professional, matched toe to toe, and had a lot of heart and gut. 

 

URCC XIV Aggression Fight Result

Match	Winner	Team	Loser	Team	Result	Time	Round
1	Jet Lumawag	DEFTAC Bacolod	Joel Taon	Kampilan Yaw Yan	Ref stoppage	6:34	1
2	Charles de Tomas	D’ Elements Gym	Franz Altarejos	DEFTAC	Ref stoppage	9:53	1
3	Erwin Focad	Lakay Wushu	Lando Espinosa	Elorde MMA	Ref stoppage: dislocated shoulder	1:03	1
4	Badong Domasian	Elorde MMA	Richie Redman	CPFC	Tap out	2:39	1
5	Eric Kelly	Yaw Yan Ardigma	Robert Buminaang	Way of Champions	Submission choke	2:00	1
6	Reggie Amarante	DEFTAC	Raymond Carlos	Hybrid Yaw Yan	Ref stoppage	3:03	2
7	Mike Natividad	WAP/Phil. Army	Ruben Sumido	Yaw Yan Texas	RNC: Rear Naked Choke	1:19	1
8	Vicente Pajaro	Hybrid Yaw Yan	Sugar Ray Estrada	Elorde MMA	Armbar	4:08	1
9	Caloy Baduria	Elorde MMA	Remand Lazaro	Hybrid Yaw Yan	Verbal submission: Fatigue	9:01	1
10	Eduard Folayang	Lakay Wushu	AJ Aguon	Spike 22 (Guam)	Judges scorecard: Unanimous	20:00	2

 

 

URCC Video (to be posted soon)

Related Post

URCC XII Supremacy

Seek and Destroy at URCC 13 Indestructible

URCC XIV Aggression

URCC 14 Is Around the Corner

URCC Black Tie Event

URCC University Challenge 2008

URCC University Challenge Highlight

URCC University Challenge Tickets

 

 

 

 

The 14^th installment of Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) is target to unleash on July, 18, 2009.

 

I cannot wait!

 

In the meantime, let us look back at the scenes from URCC 13: Indestructible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who’s taking the belt in the upcoming event?

 

 

URCC 13 Indestructible Photo Album

URCC Gelo Reyes Fight Video

 

Related Post

Seek and Destroy – URCC 13: Indestructible

URCC Black Tie Event

URCC University Challenge 2008

URCC University Challenge Tickets

URCC University Challenge Highlight

URCC University Challenge

URCC XII Supremacy

July 5

http://www.janedchua.com/2008/07/01/urcc-bar-tour-warehouse-135/

Eric Lopez Bday

URCC XII Supremacy on July 5, 2008

Ring of Fire

URCC 7: The Art of War

Pinoy Warriors’ Best Not Enough

URCC VII: The Art of War

URCC: Beyond Fear

Taneo: MMA’s Art of War: China 4, RP 0

Words: Paul J. Taneo

Free-for-all

 

How do you spell sweep, 4-0 in a best-of-seven series or 4-0 in a four-match pairing? In the case of the URCC (7) “Art of War” two Saturdays ago at the Araneta Coliseum, the latter applies.

 

 

 

 

It was URCC’s first venture into a Philippines against a foreign country type of competition. The excitement for local fight fans was double: We had four fighters of some renown who had earned fans of their own and taking on foreign fighters.

 

UNKNOWN. The Chinese MMA group was an unknown entity. All we knew was that all four had won in a mixed-martial-arts tournament in Beijing last month, with one winner dislocating his opponent’s arm in an armbar hold.

We assumed that the URCC band, led by bantamweight champion Mark Sangiao, would be formidable and might win maybe two of the match-ups. We were sorely wrong. The Filipinos all lost.

Our source, one of the incorporators of Mixed Martial Arts Entertainment Inc. who wishes to stay unnamed, was there at ringside to watch the action and even got himself a bonus by posing with the night’s round girls – the Viva Hotbabes.

Salvador Domasian of Elorde MMA Team (10-1-0 after URCC 7) was the first Filipino to taste defeat at the hands (and feet) of the Chinese. All it took for Zhang Tie Quan (19-0-0 with seven KO wins) to be declared the winner was 4:48 minutes in a Referee Stoppage as Domasian could not put up a fight anymore and was on the receiving end of strikes from Zhang.

Alliance Fight Club’s Mike Banayad’s (2-2-2) loss was just a decisive. He said uncle in 9:13 as Dai Shuang Hai (61-4-0, 5 KOs) locked on a rear-naked choke on him.

Christian Wong (2-1-0) of Deftac Jiujitsu was the Pinoy who most gallantly came down in defeat. Wong displayed stand-up skills against Ao Hai Ling (18-7-0 2 KOs) who gamely took him on a strikefest most of the fight but Wong eventually submitted via armbar. The crowd loved the fight so much it gave both fighters a standing ovation.

Mark Sangiao (12-1-0), the great complete package: good stand-up and ground, strong and smart, was the last hope of Team Philippines for a win. Obviously, he wasn’t strong and smart enough as he fell to He Peng hard, real hard, by KO.

Sangiao actually controlled the fight early as he took down He Peng three times but could neither get a submission or strike out the Chinese. He even got full mount on He Peng but the latter was well versed on the ground and his defense was impeccable, never allowing Sangiao to hurt him with blows and holds and manages to reverse or escape.

Then Sangiao’s inability to beat He Peng frustrated him and he let his guard down while being tagged by a jab straight. He started to go down and in mid fall, He Peng released a right roundhouse that tagged him on the head. Wham! Sangiao hit the floor and He Peng fell on him with a punch before the referee could declare the fight over.

Oh, before I forget. All four fights ended in Round 1.

LONG WAY. This shows Philippine MMA still has a long way to go before we could make a dent in the international scene.

Right now, the Universal Reality Combat Championship lords it over Philippine MMA and it is assumed they’ve got the best fighters. But as the 0-4 loss to China showed, our best are not good enough outside the confines of our country. And we had to realize the fact right here at home. Nothing could be more embarrassing or humbling.

We heard the Chinese were paid $1,000 each for fighting in URCC 7 and have signed up to come back. This is a great opportunity for the growth of RP MMA. Like the American imports in the PBA, RP MMA could use the technology transfer.

By the defeat, it is obvious we have more to learn from the Chinese than the other way around. Let us accept that and build on it. Maybe time will come when it will be RP 4, China 0 next time we tangle.

Link: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2005/12/18/sports/taneo.mma.s.art.of.war.china.4.rp.0.html

Article Source Link: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/mnlastd/?page=sports03_dec17_2005

The four Filipino fighters who went up against the Chinese fighters during the recent URCC 7 — The Art of War at the Araneta Coliseum gave their best but this was apparently not enough against the visiting fighters. The Filipinos were clearly outclassed by their competitors, who were more experienced and had more fights under their belts.

 

Presented by San Miguel Strong Ice, in cooperation with Solar Sports Entertainment, the main bout saw He Peng (Team Art of War) defeating bantamweight titleholder Mark Sangiao with a flying kick in the face. Sangiao was so badly hit by the kick that it took him a couple of minutes before he could get up and regain his composure. By that time, referee Del Bacho declared that he was no longer fit to continue the fight.

 

Heavyweight Christian Wong (Deftac Yaw Yan) put up a good fight against Ao Hai Ling (Team Art of War). Hopes were raised for a while when Wong successfully pinned down Ao but the big Chinese fighter managed to fight his way out of the awkward position. In the end, it was Ao’s strength and agility that helped him beat Wong through submission.

The two other Chinese fighters who did well during the competition were Dai Shuang Hai (Team Art of War), who beat Mike Banayad (AFC Philippines) through submission and Zhang Tie Quan (Team Art of War), who defeated Salvador Domasian (Elorde MMA Team Philippines) through referee stoppage.

Caloy Baduria (Elorde MMA Team) was declared the new middleweight champion after he defeated Benjie Gloria (Republic Gym). Gloria failed to make his mark throughout the match and was defeated through submission.

 

It was agent Vince Soberano, who helped bring in the Chinese fighters, who arrived last Dec. 5 from Beijing, China and immediately started training for the bout.

For more information about URCC 7 and the previous URCC, check out www.urcc.net.

10 December 2005.  3PM- Marc picked me up from my crib and we went to Greenhills to kill time.  I checked out some stores and I actually stumbled upon the bag that I saw an American girl in RCBC was using.  Lucky me!  That time I saw her with that bag, Vench had to restrain my urge to ask where she purchased it. To make the long story short, I was really meant to own another Gold Sling Bag coz it appeared right before my eyes begging me to buy it.  Rio shop offers fabulous finds, go check it out. 

4PM- I don’t really drink coffee but since I knew it was going to be a long day and I was still sleepy from the night before, I decided to drink Starbuck’s Peppermint Mocha, which I enjoyed.  

(Flashback: 12.9.2005/9PM- Red Corner Xmas Party – actually, we ditched the party early but we went to T-bar for some late-night drinks.  Theo was all jittery about the fight so I treated her to some drinks to relax her.  She and Marc went to smoke (and drink) in the other area while I stayed at our table, oblivious to the world and STILL trying to input all my contacts in my new toy.)  

4:30PM- Marc had to work for a bit so we went to EGG at the Promenade, which is a competitor of S168, but not a threat at all (blech!) and he checked the documents that were sent to his email by the ever nice and hardworking Pilar.    

5PM- We headed out to Araneta, which turned out to be a little quest, because we didn’t know how to get there so we had to follow the Araneta signs.  When we arrived, we were hungrier than wild boars so we ate at Taco Bell and ordered our favorite grilled stuft steak burrito.  After eating, I checked out the new arrivals in Mango, Gateway. 

7PM- We went inside Araneta Colisuem and saw Jay Tengco and his beautiful fiancé.  The Coliseum was not even one-third full.  I saw Antz and talked to Darwin.  I went to Wendy’s to buy Antz and Dar food because they haven’t eaten yet, being in the URCC production and all.  When we got back inside, I finally saw Theo, Janelle with their 2 other friends.  Her face was radiant but obviously stricken with anxiety.  She was wearing the DEFTAC shirt she made for Christian and his coaching team, with a design at the back that says “Don’t mess with the WONG man…” Catchy isn’t it? I saw a huge paper bag beside her with about 15 shirts inside, heavy and all, but anything for the WONG man right (wink wink)?  

9PM- Ok, so the event finally started and so far this has been the best URCC production yet.  I liked the AV presentation of the fighters, Grace Nono’s (was that her?) interpretation of our National Anthem and the rock band.  Plus, our seats were the best ones in the house! 

Fight Card

1^st fight: ho-hum.

2^nd fight: ho-hum.

3^rd fight: ok.

4^th fight: washroom.

5^th fight: saw the last few parts, go LINO! You are one helluva boxer, what a reach! And with only 2 weeks notice. Man oh man.

6^th fight: pretty interesting. First crack at how we’ll fair with the Chinese team.

7^th fight: Ok, 2 bloody fights in a row.  This is turning out to be the best URCC! But damn, Art of War Team won again. 

(My seatmate has been fidgeting non-stop, maybe whispering a prayer, encouragements to Christian –which she hopes will be sent to him through the wind (ok ok, AC)… asking Marc if it’s Christian’s turn, walking to DEFTAC peeps to give out the shirts, clasping her hands together, looking at the sea of crowd wondering if she’ll see his face, cringing at the sight of the Chinese team.  She looks at me and gives me a hopeful smile –a smile that beckons all good wishes for Christian.) 

8^th fight: Ok, I have to abruptly cut this part coz work is nudging me to start already. I’m off to do some work. Will continue folks! 

(I’m back!) Judging from the first two fights of Team Art of War, my first observations were: 

They can’t understand the ref’s instructions! (Where is an interpreter when you need one?)

They were really strong, bulging muscles and all (even on their faces!) I don’t think anyone was able to get them pinned down for a long time.

Some said that the Pinoys should look out for Team AW’s striking.  Ok, the first two fighters were really giving solid, straight punches –ones that can really knock you out.  And I noticed that they hit on the spots where they can do the most damage.  It’s very evident with the way they left the two Pinoy fighters bleeding from nasty cuts.

Is this all they ever do? I feel like all they do is train, train, train.  I think even in their sleep, they train.  Maybe even their poop has muscles.  When I look at them: I get a visual of oxen, bulls, and water buffalos.  No matter how hard you try to break their bones, it just wouldn’t budge. 

8^th fight:  Christian, standing tall and with authority, walked along the plank that led to the ring.  It was the moment of truth.  95% of the crowd cheered.  The whole entourage gathered around his corner.   

Flashback: 12.9.2005 –            

Theo:      I’m so nervous.

Jane:       Don’t be.  You think Christian is ready?

Theo:      Ya. He’s been training non-stop almost everyday, and on top of that he still goes to work.

Jane:       Tsk-tsk.  I told him last time that he should set his work aside first, esp. in the next two days. He shouldn’t be stressed with work anymore.

Theo:      He’s like that, super responsible. I’m sure he’s going to do well but I’m so tensed.

Jane:                (wondering why she doesn’t feel the tension) Oh. Now, I realized why I’m so apathetic.  Haha. What a funny coincidence that I get to accompany the girls. I mean, the whole Makati fam are there but it always so happens that I’m the designated companion. URCC IV- I accompanied Gina, Dar fought.  URCC V- Shar, Allan fought. URCC VI- Chai.  Now, it’s you.  I guess I’m immune already.   

Seeing Chris stand there in the ring waiting for his adversary, suddenly all of my nerves are racked up.  Theo was on her feet.  I was sitting there for a minute, numbed. I can’t believe Chris is fighting!  He’s like the nicest person at the gym ever (except the past two months when it became automatic for him to always mock and make fun of me! Blech) and he might be smashed into a pulp by a towering, pea-eyed guy who smells like Siomai.  I don’t want to see my closest guy friend at the gym (of course, nowadays Antz has replaced that role) be in any sort of danger.  But seeing that look in Chris’ face assured me that he was READY. That didn’t diminish the tension though. I joined Theo and stood up. “GO CHRIS!!!” 

 

The announcer introduced the opponent.  Hmm. Ok, he’s taller.  He seemed to have longer limbs. He looked like the Great Wall of China. For reasons unknown to me, my confidence in Chris started to build. The Chink reeked of Siomai. The bell rings.  Bakbakan na!

Christian didn’t spare any time.  He jabbed the opponent – first hit – and quickly went for the legs for a takedown.  Chris looked like an assassin with a mission.  The gentle face was still there, but his eyes were all business.  He started to slowly execute his game plan.  However, the Opponent’s strength was just too much.  Chink guy seemed to have the strength of 5 guys.  No matter how many times Christian tried to pin him down, Chink overpowers him. 

Chink got to his feet.  Christian sat on the floor, waited for the right moment to get up.  He didn’t want to give the Chink the opportunity to smack him on the face while he’s trying to get on his feet.  Chink gave a hard Muay Thai kick on Chris’ shin.  Ouch.  I heard Theo gasped from my right.  Theo and Marc almost concurrently whispered in my ears, “Christian has injury on the leg.”

I said a silent prayer, hoping that it wasn’t the leg that was injured in training.  Chink tried another kick.  Patience.  More Patience.  With deliberate timing, Christian got up.  He was on his feet again. Chink threw punches that missed.  Christian not only dodged the bullets, but also decided to meet the opponent’s tactics by using the same arsenal.  (Ok, I’ve seen Christian boxed before and I’d say he was pretty good.  Not to mention, the striking experience he gained from Yaw-Yan.  But seeing the first two fights and the talks of Team Art of War being a striking team first and foremost, I wasn’t so sure how Chris would fair if it boils down to just striking.  Chris, before anything else, is primarily a grappler.)

 

And so, when I recognized the stance that Chris was in, I thought to myself, “Uh-oh.  No Chris. Try for the double-leg takedown again and get an advantage position, then punch his lights out or break his arm, choke him out or something” Chris aimed, flung his knuckles and landed.  Whoo-wee!!! Where did that come from?  It felt like he heard me and retorted, “You were saying…?” And then more, more punches – more hits.  Everyone was on their feet!!! The whole Coliseum was in pandemonium! Chink appeared dazed and shaken, but he gritted his teeth and smiled.  A taunting smile – like he was saying, “I want some more of that.”  Chris tried the takedown again.  This time I was thinking, “Chris. Abandon mission. Go and knock him out with blows on the head!”  Chris apparently wanted to see the final execution of his plan.  They struggled for a bit.  I had the impression that Chris was going for the foot lock.  He was groping at one leg trying to make the Chink stay on the ground.  The Chink wrangled and suddenly he was on top of Christian.  Oh-no.  That’s not good.  I heard Marc and Theo screaming, encouraging Christian.  People started chanting his name.  “Go CHRISTIAN!!!”  Everyone was red on the face, out of breath, but couldn’t stop cheering Christian on.  I felt the engaging affection for Christian –especially the Love coming from the two people beside me.  (Haha, yes kiddos, Marc’s gay.  He and Chris have been dating behind Theo’s back.  Theo, seated at my left –next to Chris’ family, finds a “karibal” in the person of Marc, seated at my right side.)  The scuffle went on.  I was screaming to Christian to hold the Chink’s arms down, to keep it chained to his chest, but the Chink kept on hitting Chris on the face.  More tussling.  Chris partially side-mounted Chink.  But even the whole body of Chris can’t keep the Chink’s torso pinned down.  More struggling, punches here and there.  Both seemed pretty exhausted –I didn’t think Chink would be a bit out of breath, judging from his horse-like stamina which the whole AW team has been showing, but Christian made him squeeze out his last juice.  Chris seemed pretty gassed out, but he was still enduring the fight –bearing every aching bone to achieve this win –for the team who has continuously supported him and trained him for months and the URCC followers (I can’t say specifically for Pinoys –coz he’s full-blooded Chinese, a direct transport from China, ancestral of Yao Ming –haha, just playing.), but for sure, the win he wanted was beyond himself –it was for everyone else.  Out of nowhere, the Chink suddenly went for an arm bar.  A move that really made my blood rush to my brain.  Chris tried to wrestle out of it, almost had his arm back, but the last drop of oil in Chris’ engine finally burned.  His arm escaped his grasp and the Chink carried out his lousy arm bar.

Candidly, I never expected Christian to win.  I did hope that he would win though.  I even prayed for it the whole week and I haven’t been praying for a while prior to that.  I always asked Theo how Chris’s training been coming along every week since he started.  She said he’s been training extremely hard, black eye, injury and all.  I’ve sat through a couple of his trainings and I cringed (cringe –from a girl who enjoys watching URCC and UFC and hasn’t missed a URCC event since it has been introduced to her.  So me cringing means it was that bad) at the blows on the head he received from the training.  If Ali got those kinds of blows early on his career, I think he would’ve gotten Parkinson at the age of 30.  They were really tough on him.  However, I didn’t undermine the training and strength that the China Team had.  They must be treated like beasts there.  Besides, look at the track record of his opponent -17 wins with 2 knock-outs and a military guy, for heaven’s sake! Moreover, Chris is rusty, from the fights he won 2 years ago.  It means it has been 2 years since he last had that nerve-wrecking tension and rigorous training.  That’s why my expectations weren’t too high –this dispels the notion that I’m biased.  I wasn’t banking on Chris to win.

But seeing how he fought made me think that I was SOOO wrong.  He exceeded all of my expectations.  Chris proved me wrong.  I didn’t think he would, but he DOMINATED his opponent.  He looked sharper than his opponent.  The determination in his eyes to win was more than I saw in any other fighters.  He DESERVED the win.  He was holding the win in his hands all throughout the game.  More than anyone else, he is worthy of the win, not only because the skills displayed were of top caliber, but more than anything, Chris is the type to not gloat over a win.  He apologized to every one he might have disappointed and extended gratitude to his team. Theo’s eyes were gleaming.  She was so proud of how Chris fought.  Her admiration for Chris and her radiance was uplifting in every way.  We had a few drinks at Phi Bar afterwards (courtesy of Sir Mark Nep) and when Chris arrived, we gave him the cheers and cahoots.  As a true illustration of grace, Chris’ face was not of forlorn nor dejection. Instead, it was beaming. Like a man, he took it in stride -shrugged it off like it was just another day in paradise.

Chris, you make us truly proud.  Thank you for giving that Siomai-smelling Chink the cloud of doubt for a comeback next year.  We lav ya! Cheerios!!! 

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/65/9-10_December_2005

Link: http://www.pbase.com/cmanaginged/urcc_7