Cebu-based MMA fighters see action in California today

CEBU-BASED YawYan ArDigma Martial Arts Federation fighters Renan “Limbas” Noblefranca and Jordan “Labuyo” Balcita test their skills inside the ring as they fight American kick boxers today in the Knuckle Up fight card  in Vallejo, California, USA.

Noblefranca, the reigning Yaw-Yan Fighting Challenge Championship (YFCC) junior lightweight king, and Balcita, the chief instructor of Yaw-Yan Fervilleon, arrived in the US last Nov. 9 together with Yaw-Yan ArDigma Cebu chief instructor Johnlery “Ian” Caniga Jr. They have already started to hold several seminars for the YawYan ArDigma students in California.

Caniga said he still doesn’t know the names of the opponents of Noblefranca and Balcita but he is sure they will be featured in the fight card that will offer various martial arts disciplines.

“Importante gyud kaayo ni nga away dili lang nako pero apil napud sa Yaw-Yan ArDigma-Cebu  kay naa koy chance nga ipakita ang abilidad nga labaw pa sa akong kontra,” Noblefranca said through Skype.

Just like Noblefranca, Balcita also expressed his excitement for his debut fight abroad.

Balcita’s last bout was last May in San Remegio town, northern Cebu, where he defeated URCC veteran Johnjier Torbiso in the second round.

“Karon pa nato mahibaw-an kung kinsa ilang mga kontra pero sigurado ko nga mga American Muay Thai fighters sila,”  Caniga said.

Noblefranca and Balcita’s respective performances will dictate their fate in the US. Victories will surely open up a lot of exposure for them  in different fight cards next year. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL