Baron Geisler, Kiko Matos ready to settle rift in URCC card

MANILA, Philippines – No punches were thrown when warring actors Baron Geisler and Kiko Matos graced Tuesday's PSA Forum to drum up the explosive URCC Fight Night on Saturday at the Valkyrie Night Club.

Geisler and Matos, who recently figured in a bar brawl in Quezon City, have agreed to settle their differences in the next URCC card, and have been training hard under the guidance of experts.

The controversial Geisler, younger brother of 1998 Asian Games silver medalist and two-time Olympian Donald Geisler of taekwondo, was also into taekwondo, since he was six or seven years old.

Matos, on the other hand, is more familiar with jujitsu but said he's been working on mixed martial arts (MMA) the past few weeks since the fight was sealed.

Alvin Aguilar, the URCC head, expects a decent fight from Geisler and Matos, and hoped that by the end of the day they could bury their differences, "share a drink and give to charity."

The exhibition match between Geisler and Matos is expected to steal the limelight from the main bout between Chris Hofmann and Arvin Chan. The main supporting bouts will feature John Adajar against Jericho Tomagan, and Eddie Estrada against MJ Abrillo.

Also on tap are fights between Jued Castillo and Von Darbon Prado; EF Sevilla and John Gonzales; Ferdinand Batac and Arjay Bongala; Benjie Tabaranza and Rodian Mechavez; and Rommel Lugo and Ariel Lampacan.

Geisler and Matos traded dagger looks and harsh words during the forum at Shakey's Malate, and during a brief staredown in front of photographers there was taunting between the two.

While he said he has the experience in taekwondo, Geisler said he worked on his boxing skills as he trained for the fight, and vowed to take his opponent out.

Matos said he can't predict the outcome of the fight.

"It's too soon to predict. All I can say is that I cannot be too confident because the opponent is good. Pinaghandaan ko ito (I trained for this)," he said.