Martial arts champ killed in gun attack

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – A former mixed martial arts (MMA) champion was shot dead by an unidentified gunman in Barangay Ulas here yesterday.

Ale Cali, 25, was about to get into his car when the assailant shot him thrice in the head.

Cali has reportedly been planning to revive his career in the MMA since last year.

Cali bagged the Pacific X-Treme flyweight title in February 2012 when he knocked down Jesse Taitano of Guam. He defended the title when he stopped fellow Filipino Erwin Tagle nine months after the February 2012 bout.

In November 2013, he was knocked down by Louis Smolka of the US.

Police have yet to determine the motive for the killing.