Abucayan, Brooks square off tonight

All is set for the Ground and Pound Championships VII: Resolution tonight at the Cebu Coliseum.

This after the protagonists of the mixed martial arts card tipped the weighing scales yesterday during the official weigh-in at the YawYan ArDigma headquarters.

Cebu-based British fighter Cris Thompson “Lindol” Brooks of Team YawYan ArDigma and his opponent Lloyd “Destroyer” Abucayan of Beefit Python’s Pit of Davao City made weight for their 206-pound heavyweight match. Brooks came in at 256 pounds while Abucayan was lighter at 206 pounds.

Both fighters, who will be fighting in the main bout, are eager to step into the ring.

“I know he has very good credential as a wrestler and a young MMA fighter. But like what he said earlier, I am the best and he has to fight with the best. I’m going to show him who’s the best,” said Brooks.

Abucayan, meanwhile, said his wrestling skills will be his key over the taller Brooks in their five-round encounter.

“He maybe big but I’ve got skills. I’ll fight him whether standing or in the ground,” Abucayan said.

In the co-main event, GPC lightweight champion Lordy Rey “Punisher” Yamit of Butuan Extreme MMA weighed in at 159 pounds while challenger Robert Kru “Maldito” Serdone of the Red Neos Gladiators Muay Thai of Talisay City was nine pounds lighter at 150 pounds. They will fight for the 150 to 159-pound championship bout.

Meanwhile, a spark was ignited when former Universal Reality Combat Championships (URCC) champion Victor “Gladiator” Torre shoved James “Spider” Serenio after a staredown.

Both easily made their weights with Serenio at 123 pounds and Torre at 124.5 pounds. But some extra curricular activity happened after Torre initiated a staredown then shoved Serenio intentionally. Serenio, however, remained cool and said the incident meant nothing since he knew that was just Torre’s way of using mind games before tonight’s five-round bout.

Reigning YawYan Fighting Championships featherweight champion Renan “Limbas” Noblefranca of Team YawYan ArDigma and his opponent Marjun “MUMMA Warrior” Porriento of Team Mindanao United MMA (MUMMA) of Cagayan de Oro City also made their weight. Noblefranca weighed 120 pounds while Porriento tipped the scales at 121 pounds.

Nine more MMA bouts will be featured tonight featuring the best MMA fighters in the region.