Abucayan splits with his girlfriend to focus on training

Two-time wrestling gold medalist and judo black belter Lloyd “Destroyer” Abucayan of Beefit Pythons Pit of Mindanao said he has sacrificed a lot in order to achieve excellent fighting form as he expressed confidence of winning his upcoming title fight in the ‘Ground and Pound 7: Resolution’ on Aug. 31 at the Cebu Coliseum.

Abucayan said one of the major sacrifices he has to make is to part ways from his girlfriend so that he can focus on his training for his main event showdown against the hulking Cebu-based British fighter Cris “Lindol” Brooks of Yaw-Yan ArDigma for the vacant heavyweight title.

Abucayan also announced that he is unfazed by the size of Brooks. What matters most, according to him is that he has the best MMA team on his side and the valuable guidance of his brother Louie who is also a former MMA fighter and wrestler.

“I am never afraid of my opponent no matter how big he is,” Abucayan said. “Size will not matter on this fight because what matters is the skill of the fighters and the hard work they put in order to get that title.”

Abucayan weighs a gangly 196 pounds and stands 5-foot-8, while the 6-foot-1 Brooks weighs a massive 250 pounds.

“I am so confident that I will win. I sacrificed a lot for this fight to the point that I have to set aside my love life,” said the 18-year-old Abucayan who was a two-time gold medallist in the National Scholastic Wrestling Takedown Challenge last February at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

The pride of Davao also seeks vengeance against Brooks, who crushed his teammate and former URCC fighter Gygz Ocampo in the very first round during the Mindanao Ultimate Mixed Martial Arts’ The Proving Ground-Warshock in August last year at the Liceo de Cagayan University gym in Cagayan de Oro City.

Meanwhile, Master Benigno ‘Ekin’ Caniga together with some of the protagonists of the action-packed MMA fight card will be the guests in today’s SCOOP forum at Baseline to talk about their preparations for the upcoming event.

The MMA fight card is presented by Yaw-Yan ArDigma Martial Arts Federation Inc. in partnership with SkyCable. It is sanctioned by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).

Tickets are priced at P200 for upperbox, P400 for lowerbox, P750 for ringside and P1,500 for VIP seats. For reservations and further information, call 255-8919, 255-1405 or call/txt 0932-4524999.