Abucayan eyes revenge, GPC heavyweight title

Lloyd “Destroyer” Abucayan of Davao City will try to hit two birds with one stone when he faces YawYan ArDigma’s Cris Marvyn “Lindol” Brooks in tomorrow’s main event of the Ground and Pound Championships (GPC) VII dubbed “Resolution” at the Cebu Coliseum.

The event will offer 13 bouts with four title fights in four different weight divisions.

Abucayan, a two time-gold medalist in the National Scholastic Wrestling Takedown Challenge, met Brooks for the first time yesterday during the final press conference at the YawYan ArDigma headquarters headed by promoter Master Benigno “Ekin” Caniga Jr.

Abucayan said he is eyeing a victory over Brooks that would establish him as the best fighter in the heavyweight class.

“I want to fight Brooks because he’s the best in our weight division,” Abucayan said. “I want to compete with the best in order to become the best.”

Aside from that, the Davaoeño, who is unbeaten after three fights, said he is also looking to avenge the loss of his teammate Jigs Campo to Brooks last year in Cagayan de Oro City via technical knockout.

“Campo is my sparrmate both on the ground and in striking. It was painful for us to see him lose,” added Abucayan. “I’ll do my best to win this bout and bring the belt back to Davao.”

But Brooks is optimistic that he will come out victorious in their five-round match.

“I improved a lot. I promise all Cebuano MMA fans that the belt will remain in Cebu,” said the Cebu-based British.

Meanwhile, reigning GPC lightweight champion Lordy Rey “Punisher” Yamit of the Butuan Extreme MMA vowed to end his bout against veteran MMA fighter Robert Kru “Maldito” Serdone of Red Neos Gladiator of Talisay City, Cebu in less than five rounds. This will be his first title defense.

Also showing huge confidence is reigning YawYan Fighting Challenge (YFC) featherweight kick boxing champion Renan “Limbas” Noblefranca of Team YawYan ArDigma, who will be fighting Mindanao United MMA’s (MUMMA) Marjun “MUMMA Warrior” Porriento in the lone kick boxing championship bout of the fight card.

“I will knock him out in three rounds,” Noblefranca said.

Cebuano James “Spider” Serenio will fight Victor “Gladiator” Torre, a former Universal Reality Combat Championships (URCC) champion for the vacant GPC Flyweight title.