Kiko and Baron: A rematch?

MANILA, Philippines - Is it scripted? Is it just a gimmick? Or is it for real?

Those questions instantly came to mind when what was supposed to be an engaging presscon of Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) held at the Ballroom A of Winford Hotel & Casino last Monday afternoon was suddenly marred by the attention-grabbing entrance of Baron Geisler who headed straight to the presidential table and sat beside his “estranged friend” Kiko Matos, who is one of the newly-signed fighters of the mixed martial arts (MMA) event.

Baron initially seemed at peace with Kiko as he was seen offering the latter a finger food but not until he heard one sports writer inquiring about the indie actor’s choice for a contender in the URCC match-up on Aug. 12 at the Araneta Coliseum. Baron grabbed the microphone from Kiko and told everyone that they should fight again in the ring.

“A Kiko-Baron part 2, if he has the balls, I challenge him. Do you (have the balls)?” Baron asked Kiko.

He then started throwing tirades that led Kiko to blow his top and attack Baron. Cooler heads intervened and Baron was made to leave the venue while still shouting expletives.

Is it scripted? Kiko said he had no idea that Baron would show up. “As you can see, his name was not even (included on the nameplates) on the table. And (if it’s scripted) at least alam natin lahat that he’s coming but we just saw that he was there (pointing at the entrance of Ballroom A).”

“Actually, when I came here in this URCC press conference then I know I’m scheduled to fight on Aug. 12 but without an opponent yet so right now I came here to invite other actors to come out and fight. Then he came, it looks like kami na ‘yung maglalaban. Hopefully, (URCC founder) professor Alvin Aguilar approves of it.”

To recall, it was last year when Kiko and Baron were caught on video having an altercation inside a bar. It led to an exhibition match between the two actors inside the cage of mixed martial arts fighters.

Asked one more time if their “unexpected brawl” is not just a publicity stunt, Kiko answered, “This one is for sportsmanship, for settling the draw and finally see who will win this time.”

URCC matchmaker Ron Catunao explained, “Kiko is here for his real fight — the amateur MMA fight. That’s why he’s here. He just signed a contract with me for URCC. I don’t know who invited Baron.”

Does it mean a rematch between Kiko and Baron?

“I don’t know,” replied Ron. Perhaps, Baron is not satisfied with their draw match before. I just still don’t know about the decision of Prof. Alvin because I’m still looking for a fight for Kiko. I don’t know yet what will happen next.”  

Kiko added, “We all know what happened last year. As of now, maybe he wants to play another game. It’s a big boys’ game. He just came out and called me names so let’s get it on because what I did earlier is my reaction towards his actions. So, let’s make this fight happen. Bigwasan na, hahahaha.”

If and when there is a rematch, Kiko is certainly prepared physically and mentally considering the amount of time he has been devoting to trainings.

“I think I’m on a different level compared to Baron. I’ve been training even after our fight last year and I do trainings until now and it’s not just physically because when you go to the gym, you just don’t train your body but also the mind.”

Is it scripted or a gimmick? Your guess is as good as mine.