When martial artists from all over the world cross paths In Manila, MMA fans can only expect bombs, blood, and an absolute war! Guam-based MMA promotion Pacific Xtreme Combat delivered just that when their nine-fight offering blew the roof off the Ynares Sports Arena in PXC 29, the fourth event held in the Philippines by the promotion.
When In Manila was invited to the event care of PXC head honcho Joey Calvo. As always, I’ll be your guide to one of the sickest nights in Philippine MMA history!
Mark Munoz Meet and Greet
I reached the venue extra early to attend a media briefing. Moreover, UFC middleweight contender Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Munoz tweeted that he’d be there around that time. Munoz was supposed to fight Chael Sonnen last January to determine the no. 1 contender for the middleweight championship, currently held by the no. 1 pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the world, Anderson Silva. Based in Orange County, California, he took the opportunity to visit the Philippines as he cornered his Reign teammate Raja Shippen in the co-main event of the evening.
I actually replied to Mark that I’d be there to meet him. Mark was really warm and approachable – a stand up guy indeed! He didn’t have a platoon of security details surrounding him wherever he went (which has been the case for the other UFC fighters that have visited). He gracefully obliged all the fans who were swarming in to take pictures with him. Time didn’t allow an interview with him though.
Sadly, the person who took our photo didn’t know that YOU CAN’T TAKE A PHOTO AGAINST THE LIGHT!
PXC 29 Results: 3 TKO’s, 3 Submissions, 3 (Exciting) Decisions
The media table was situated three rows from the cage (dubbed “The Terror Dome”). I was seated behind AKTV commentators Rico Robles and Erwin Tagle. Unlike the URCC, we weren’t allowed to move closer and take pictures beside the cage. Armed with my trusty point-and-shoot and a ton of notes, here’s an abridged recap of fight night.
In fight no. 1, Eugene Toquero made short work of Ricky Lucena with a TKO victory in the very first round.
Fight no. 2 witnessed Glen Ranillo work a Kimura from the guard against Jerry Legaspi for an impressive come-from -behind submission victory!
Fight No. 3: Troy Bantiag v. Michael Regalado
If it were only up to me, hands down, the war between Team Lakay’s Troy Bantiag and Submission Sports’ Michael Regalado wins fight of the night honors!
In round 1, Bantiag used his Lakay-caliber wrestling skills to take Regalado down several times, bloodying the Bacolod warrior with a barrage of strikes on the ground early on. But the resilient Regalado always found a way to stand up. Both standing, they engaged in one of the wildest slugfests I’ve seen, with both fighters going down courtesy of overhands from their opponent. The round closed with Regalado connecting with three or more solid shots before Bantiag took him down, landing in side control.
Regalado went for a single leg but couldn’t complete the takedown at the start of round 2. His mouthpiece flew as a right hook from Bantiag connected. Bantiag started throwing haymakers, but got caught by a counter from Regalado. He went wild, throwing heavy bombs, elbows, and hammer fists on a downed opponent. Regalado ended the round mounted on Bantiag and hammering away!
Round 3 picked up where we left, with both fighters letting it all hang inside the cage. The action slowed down a bit, understandable considering the frantic pace of the first two rounds. Then Bantiag tapped on his high-altitude gas tank and put the pedal to his strikes. He connected with a head kick, and a dazed Regalado tried for a clinch. A straight right caught Regalado flush! Regalado ate a handful of Bantiag’s punches, but he continued to trade and even had a few moments of striking glory before the bell rang.
The judges awarded Troy Bantiag with a 29-28 unanimous decision victory, but nothing was taken from Regalado as we witnessed an amazing display of heart (and the spilling of a hell lot of blood!) from both fighters last night.
For fight no. 4, Jay Tenorio’s game plan against Carlo Astudillo was simple: use strikes to close the distance, clinch, and then take his opponent down. He won via a D’Arce choke in round 2.
Ryan Boughton smothered Ilima Maiava on the ground to claim a unanimous decision victory in fight no. 5.
For fight no. 6, Ryan Bigler destroyed Dorian Price via rear naked choke in the very first round!
Fight No. 7: Victor Galdon v. Crisanto Pitpitunge
Lakay Wushu’s Crisanto Pitpitunge faced Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu’s Victor Galdon in a battle at 135 lbs. Galdon must idolize Nick Diaz as he refused to touch gloves with a mild-mannered Pitpitunge during their face-off.
At the sound of the bell, Pitpitunge cocked three leg kicks before he took Galdon down. Pushing Galdon against the cage, he sneaked in several shots, but the Californinan threatened with a deep triangle choke. The Lakay fighter picked Galdon up and slammed him thrice, the latter still held on to the triangle, then after a protracted struggle Pitpitunge got his head out. The round ended with both men trying for ankle locks.
In round 2, Pitpitunge drew first blood with a cracking overhand right. A left hook backed Galdon and a follow-up sent him to the canvas. Galdon went for the ankle but Pitpitunge spun away and allowed him to stand. Pitpitunge slapped Galdon with more leg kicks, making the American’s legs give out. Galdon attempted a knee bar in the last minute but Pitpitunge endured and threw several hard shots to the body as the round drew to a close.
Pitpitunge started the third round cracking several leg kicks that fell Galdon in several occasions. Galdon threatened a guillotine. I don’t know how Lakay warriors train against chokes, but once more Pitpitunge escaped. Galdon was able to reverse positions on the ground and end on top of Pitpitunge. He threw a series of strikes, but most just glanced Pitpitunge’s head. Pitpitunge threw another leg kick that chopped Galdon before the end of round 3.
Across the judges’ scorecards, Pitpitunge prevailed, 30-27. With the win, he became the no. 1 contender and will face PXC bantamweight champion Justin Cruz next!
Co-Main Event: Harris Sarmiento v. Raja Shippen
Hawaiian Harris Sarmiento cut weight to fight Raja Shippen in the 145-lb division. Observably thinner than his last outing, members of the press speculated whether his power or endurance would suffer because of the cut.
Both fighters sized each other up before Sarmiento attempted a takedown. Shippen ended on top instead and made Sarmiento pay with a knee as they stood up. Shippen tried to keep the Hawaiian at bay with kicks, but Sarmiento finally landed a clean shot, hurting the Reign Muay Thai specialist. Sarmiento went for the kill, chaining a vicious combination with his two fists. Another overhand right and Shippen went down – face to the ground! Sarmiento pounding away on his downed opponent; the referee stepped in to rescue Shippen from the onslaught. Harris Sarmiento was victorious via TKO, proving that he is the same killer at 145 lbs.
Main Event: Ale Cali v. Jesse Taitano
For the main event of the evening, Davao’s Ale “Young Gun” Cali attempted to make history as the first homegrown Filipino to win a PXC championship. On the other side of the cage was Guam’s Jesse “Spiderman” Taitano for the vacant PXC flyweight title. It was a classic striker v. grappler match-up, and the Filipino fans loved every second of the bout while it lasted.
Taitano took the first round with effective grappling. Cali was in danger of being submitted on different occasions with two arm triangles and a rear naked choke. Spiderman also dished some ground-and-pound at the latter half of the round.
In round 2, Cali found the answer to Taitano’s tackles rather ingeniously: body shots that stuffed Jesse when he charges head-first. Ale connected with a beautiful left uppercut and right straight. He was winning a lopsided striking exchange, then Taitano went for a single and took Cali down for a full mount. Cali reversed but ended up trapped in an arm bar. He shook Jesse off by carrying him and spinning around (yes, he dared to do that!). Vicious body shots and uppercuts from Ale! Taitano was already down and continued to be punished, but Ale stood up and called on his opponent to stand and bang. The two clinched and Cali went for a guillotine which Jesse escaped from before the end of round 2.
Everyone was chanting “Ale! Ale!” as round 3 started. Taitano got hit with a flush right hook. Cali followed with a barrage of body shots. Part-cautious, part-cocky, he didn’t go to the ground amidst a beaten opponent. Ale just teeing off on Taitano! The referee stopped the fight, making Ale Cali the new PXC flyweight champion!
When the next PXC event lands In Manila, be sure to watch it live! Last night, Filipino warriors defended the pride of the motherland, overcoming their opponents from around the world. Will they succeed once more in the next PXC? Only time will tell. What’s sure is that the fans watching live at Ynares Sports Arena or at home through AKTV are the winners in this enterprise!
Visit upfightteam.wordpress.com for the full fight recap (sans the photos).
I would like to thank Joey Calvo for inviting When In Manila to cover the event amidst the short notice. Congratulations on PXC 29’s success!
And of course, big thanks to Mark Munoz! Thank you for being so candid and gracious to your fans!
PXC 29 Results: Filipino MMA Fighters Victorious in Home Turf (That, and I got my UFC fight gloves signed by Mark Munoz!)
