Brooks leads contenders in MMA card on Aug. 31
Four titles in four different weight divisions will be at stake in the Ground and Pound VII: Resolution slated Aug. 31 at the Cebu Coliseum.
This annual mixed martial arts (MMA) event is organized by the YawYan ArDigma Martial Arts Federation Inc.
Leading the cast of contenders will be Cebu-based Cris Marvyn “Lindol” Thompson Brooks of the United Kingdom, who will be going up against Davao City’s Lloyd Abucayan of the Beefit Phytons Pit from Mindanao.
They will be fighting for the vacant Ground and Pound Championship heavyweight title in the main event.
Brooks, a two-year pro in MMA, made his debut last year in Cagayan de Oro City by beating Abucayan’s teammate Gygz Campo via technical knockout.
Abucayan, on the other hand, is a judo black belt and jiu-jitsu expert.
“I am ready for him,” said Brooks during last Thursday’s official launching at the YawYan ArDigma Gym. “I know he is already watching that fight of mine against his teammate but he’ll be surprised because I’ve improved my skills a lot for the past months,” added the YawYan ArDigma Gym-Cebu Top Team fighter.
The launching was headed by organizer Master Benigno “Ekin” Caniga Jr., who is the YawYan Ardigma Martial Arts Federation chief.
“This is by far the biggest MMA fight card I’ve ever put up. It is considerably the biggest MMA event here in Cebu because there are four titles at stake so I’m very excited,” said Caniga.
Meanwhile, GPC Lightweight champion Lordy Rey “Punisher” Yamit of Mindanao will defend his title against Talisay City’s Kru Robert “Maldito” Serdone, the chief of the Red Neos Iron Gladiators Muay Thai, in the co-main event.
Yamit won the title last year by defeating Mandaue City’s Mark “Terminator” Araneta via TKO while Serdone, who has not fought for a couple of years now, is hoping to make a big comeback inside the ring.
Undefeated MMA fighter James “Spider” Serenio of SOMA Fight Club will also try to clinch the vacant flyweight title against the veteran Victor “Gladiator” Torre in the other title fight to be featured in the fight card.
Serenio, who is undefeated after four fights, will be fighting former Universal Reality Combat Championships (URCC) champion Torre, who also fought in the Pacific Xtreme Combat in Manila last year.
kick boxing card
In the lone kick boxing championship bout of the fight card, Renan “Limbas” Noblefranca will defend his title for the second time against former Muay Thai Philippine Team member Marjun “Muma Warrior” Porriento.
Noblefranca won the title last year against Steve Sevilleno of Manila and successfully defended it last May in San Remegio against Arnel Ylanan via TKO.
Seven other MMA fights will also be lined up in this Games and Amusements Board (GAB)-sanctioned fight card, which will be aired in a slightly delayed basis over channel 62 of Sky Cable.
Tickets are available at the YawYan ArDigma Gym at the fourth level of the Coast Pacific Building along Sanciangko Avenue and at the Cebu Coliseum. Prices are pegged at P1500 for VIP, P750 for ringside, P400 for lowerbox and P200 for the lowerbox.
