Brooks mangles Abucayan; Yamit reclaims crown

Cebu-based British Mixed Martial Arts fighter Cris “Lindol” Thompson Brooks won the vacant GPC heavyweight title Saturday night after scoring a huge technical knockout (TKO) victory over Lloyd Anthony “Destroyer” Abucayan in the Ground and Pound VII: Resolution at the Cebu Coliseum.

Brooks, who represents Team YawYan ArDigma, logged his second straight victory after the referee stopped the bout at the 3:37 mark of the second round after Abucayan tapped out.

Brooks unleashed his arsenal early by landing solid knee strikes while wrestling on the ground.

Abucayan kept on fighting until the second round but continued to absorb solid punches from Brooks, including a left straight that sent him down on the canvas. Abucayan got knocked down again twice after being hit with vicious low kicks.

“All of the sacrifices I did paid off,” said Brooks. “I knew that if the fight will reach more than one round, I was going to win it.”

After the bout, Abucayan was rushed to the hospital since he was vomiting and complained of dizziness.

“I think my reach advantage and my strength were the keys to my victory,” said Brooks, who said he dedicated this win to his family back in Scotland. “My scheduled six-week training was cut to two weeks after my father’s passing so I had to leave my family back in Scotland for the fight. I miss them a lot and this victory is totally dedicated to them.”

Yamit retains title

Meanwhile, GPC lightweight champion Lordy Rey “Punisher” Yamit retained his title after his submission win over Talisay City’s Kru Robert “Maldito” Serdone at the 3:36 mark of the opening round.

Cebuano James “Spider” Serenio of SOMA Fight Club failed to snatch the vacant GPC flyweight title after Azkal-Bullies MMA Team’s Victor “Gladiator” Torre forced him to submission via armbar 41 seconds into the first round.

YawYan Fighting Challenge (YFC) junior featherweight champion Renan “Limbas” Noblefranca defended his title for the third time after earning a TKO win over Marjun “MUMMA Warrior” Porriento at the 1:57 mark of the first round in the lone kick boxing match.

Aside from the fast paced championship bouts, the fighters featured in the undercard also showcased impressive wins in their respective bouts.

Team YawYan ArDigma’s Lemuel “Musang” Maglinte logged his third victory after beating Durex Dragon’s John Edu “Excalibur” Torbiso via a rear-neck choke at the 39-second mark of the first round.

Moises Nudalo knocked out Butuan Extreme MMA’s Urtich Alarin in the second round via a vicious left hook to the chin.

other winners

In the opening bout, Ismael Gomez of Team MUMMA Cagayan de Oro City won via a unanimous decision over Leo Rodrigo of Team Project X of Cebu.

Ralph Louie Arcayan of team SOMA Fight Club won via a third round TKO at the 3:32 mark. SELDEF MMA of Lapu-lapu City’s Alex Abraham also won via unanimous decision over Perkins Calixto of Azkals-Bullies MMA of Cagayan de Oro City.

Rocky Tune Batolbatol won via TKO over DEFTAC Dumaguete’s Erving Mosico while Frederick Lim Jr. forced One Cebu MMA’s Maxel Yong to submission.

Mandaue United MMA’s (MMA) ace fighter Mark Araneta logged a TKO win over Butuan Extreme MMA’s Rick Cubillas while Arnel Ylanan defeated Geronimo Etac of YawYan ArDigma in their rematch.