YawYan Ardigma forms elite group of fighters

Despite initial negative reactions from other Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) groups in Cebu, YawYan Ardigma Chief Master Benigno “Ekin” Caniga Jr. still pushed through with his dream of forming an elite group of MMA fighters to represent Cebu in future MMA tournaments.

Caniga Jr. named the team “Yawyan Ardigma-Cebu Top Team” composed of his very own MMA fighters who will carry Cebu’s name in various events including the prestigious Universal Reality Combat Championships (URCC).

“I have been planning this for a long time, it took me several years to finally decide of forming a group such as this because I know that a lot of Martial Arts groups in Cebu will react,” Caniga said during yesterday’s official launching of the team at the YawYan Ardigma headquarters in Sanciangko St.

“But I am very confident that my fighters will do their best to give honor to Cebu,” added Caniga Jr.

Yaw-yan Ardigma-Cebu Top Team is composed of Slotty Avila, Keith “Ice” Acapulco, Lemuel Maglinte, British Cris-Marvyn Thompson Brooks, Kyle “Hurricane” Co, Lando Nacua and URCC fighters Renan “Limbas” Noblefranca, Geronimo Etac and Ruel “Akiyama” Rosauro.

They will be supervised by Caniga Jr.’s son, the multi-awarded Jiu-jitsu and MMA expert Johnlery “Ian” Caniga.

“We have completed 75 percent of our entire training but I am still giving them tough training as the date of their fights draws near to be able to give them full preparation,” said Johnlery.

On June 30, Acapulco, Nacua, Noblefranca, Avila and Etac will debut as members of Cebu Top Team in Soma Fight Club’s MMA fight card to be held at the Mandaue Sports and Cultural complex.

The whole team will also wage war on July 14 in Caniga Jr.’s much awaited MMA fight card “Ground and Pound VI: Invincible” at the Cebu Coliseum.

According to Caniga Jr., Cebu Top Team fighters who will win on July 14 will have a big chance to fight in URCC Cebu next year.