Soma Fight Club fighters Rivera, Serenio beat separate foes

SOMA Fight Club’s Joerick Rivera scored an impressive victory over Jonjier Torbiso of the Durex Dragons Lapu-Lapu in their first MMA encounter in the main event of the 2nd Fight Ground Championships held Saturday night at the San Roque Sports complex in Mandaue City.

Rivera outclassed the battle-scarred veteran Torbiso via a Guilloten choke in the final minute of the second round to improve his record to 4-0 (win-loss).

Before Rivera executed the perfect choke, he and Torbiso first engaged in fearsome exchange that electrified the crowd.

Torbiso suffered his third loss in six pro bouts in MMA.

In the equally action-packed main supporting MMA bout, James “Spider” Serenio, also from SOMA Fight Club, stunned the heavily favored founder of the Malawi Fighting System of Mindanao Ali “The Grappler” Malawi in the first round.

Serenio’s strength and aggressiveness pounded the older Malawi into the ropes. Serenio knocked down Malawi after connecting staggering straight punches and combinations, forcing the latter to surrender.

Mark “The Terminator” Araneta ended his three-game winning streak after he was beaten by Arcom Jukai’s Romelo “Arcom” Espra in their MMA brawl in the undercard.

YawYan Musang’s Leo Gaerlan executed a perfect Guilloten against Durex Dragon’s Junrey Soquite in the opening round.

Yawyan Ardigma Cebu’s Mark “Buhawi” Revalde won against Durex Dragons’  John Edu “Prodigal Dragon” Torbiso in their much anticipated rematch in the MMA undercard via a rear naked choke in the second round.

Another winner was Yawyan Ardigma’s Renan “Limbas” Noblefranca, who overwhelmed Jimwill Nainge in the stand-up kick boxing bout. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL