Baguio's Ediva destroys 'The Destroyer'

CEBU, Philippines - Mark Ediva of Baguio pulled a first round stoppage of Cebuano prospect Engi “The Destroyer” Piloto to claim the URCC Visayas featherweight title in the main event of the Colt 45 Universal Reality Combat Championship Cebu IV: Proving Grounds the other night at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Ediva, a wushu gold medalist in the 2007 SEA Games, wowed the crowd as he forced Piloto of Yaw-Yan Ardigma to tap out in 3:44 of the opening round.

 “Masaya naman ako sa naging resulta nang laban namin ni Engi. At first, I was hesitant but nang nagsalpukan na kami, naramdaman ko na siya and I started to read his moves,” said Ediva.

“Noong na-full mount ko siya, parang doon medyo nasa isip ko na parang mananalo na ako dito kasi hindi na siya makagalaw kasi na-lock ko na siya at hindi na siya tumitingin sa akin. So when he turned his back, I had the chance to choke him. Nag-tap si Engi at tinigil na ng referee ‘yong laban namin,” Ediva added.

In the supporting main event, Canaian Sabah “The Persian Warrior” Fadai, fighting under Revolution Fight Team–Deftac Cebu , needed two rounds to dispose Andrew Benibe.

Fadai dominated both rounds with his damaging kicks and punches, which was painfully received by Benibe.

“The match was fantastic, I did not expect that I would go two rounds with him. He is very tough. As much as I hit him, he did not drop,” said Fadai.      

Muay Thai champion Leonard “The One” Delarmino of Iloilo’s Capanay MMA Stable, on the other hand, stopped Leo “The Sandman” Gaerlan of Cebu’s Yaw-Yan Musang in the first round to snatch the URCC Visayas bantamweight crown.

Maxilito “The Hyper Eagle” Yong of Yaw-Yan Musang knocked out fellow Cebuano Alvin “The Heat” Amistoso of Mifis Tudo Judo to clinch the URCC Visayas flyweight belt, while Cebu’s Demetrio “The Standard” Delatore of CMAC Main also terminated Philip “The Stinger” Delarmio of Capanay MMA Stable also in the first round to snatch the URCC Visayas pinweight diadem.

In the supporting bouts, United Kingdom’s Tom “The Hawk” Woodfin representing Yaw-Yan Ardigma defeated Richie Redman of Capanay MMA Stable, Jimmy “The Silencer” Yabo of Cebu’s Sel Def bested Arvien Baldilobar of Iloilo ’s Teen Tigers, Agustin “The Demolisher” Delarmino of Iloilo tamed Jonomar “Naruto” Macaraya of CMAC Main, while Geronimo “The Dare Devil” Etac of Yaw-Yan Musang subdued Jenifer “The Finisher” Biocales. -  THE FREEMAN