Matos, Geisler disappoint fans in 19-all draw

MANILA, Philippines – Kiko Matos and Baron Geisler fought to a draw, failing to live up to the pre-fight hype that left fight fans clamoring for an extra round to settle the issue.

They’re better off as actors.

For all the bad blood and running feud that boosted interest in their showdown in the Universal Reality Combat Championship at the Valkyrie Night Club in Bonifacio Global City Saturday night, it was a big letdown with the two fighting to 19-all draw. 

In two three-minute rounds, Matos and Geisler mixed it up in a virtual street brawl full of wild punches, missed shots or blows lacking in velocity.

Matos, an Indie film actor, came out more aggressive early and took down Geisler, a matinee idol turned character actor, most of the opening round before losing steam in the second that allowed the latter to escape with the draw.

When the duel concluded, the two grasped for air and looked exhausted.

There were some clamor from the fans for a deciding round but URCC organizers stuck to the format to spare the fighters from injury.

After the ill-feelings, the TV taunts and challenge leading to the fight, Matos and Geisler shook hands after trying to settle their differences in the URCC ring only to finish in a standoff.

Meanwhile, Chris Hoffman scored a second round TKO victory over Alvin Chan in what proved to be the most entertaining fight of the night.

The Hoffman-Chan bout was supposed be the main bout but URCC had a last-minute change and made the Matos-Geisler fight the featured fight instead.

Unlike Matos and Geisler, however, Hoffman and Chan didn’t disappoint as they slugged it out right from the start with Hoffman, a light heavyweight champion who fought middleweight contender Chan in the 189-lb catchweight, ending up taking the round.

Hoffman finished off Chan with a flurry from a side mount.

“He was prepared, he has an athletic built. I just waited for an opening,” said Hoffman.

In other results, lightweight Ariel Lampacan defeated Rommel Lugo via a third round stoppage; bantam Rodian Mechavez bested Benjie Tabaranza with a second round RSC via strikes; bantam Arjay Bongala won via submission over Ferdinand Batac in the second round.

Flyweight John Gonzales trounced EF Sevilla via unanimous decision; feather Jed Castillo beat Darbon Prado via rear-naked choke in the second round; strawweight MJ Abrillo finished off Eddie Estrada with a first round submission win; welter Jericho Adajar outclassed Jericho Tomagan with a swift first round win.