Mixed martial arts pinasok na rin ni Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - Bahagi na rin ng mixed martial arts si Manny Pacquiao.

Ito ay matapos bumili ng shares ang Filipino world eight-division champion sa Asian-based One Fighting Championship.

“I’m pretty pumped. There are a ton of reasons why I’m pretty excited about this. Obviously, Manny Pacquiao is a glo-bal sports icon and having him as a part of our organization as a shareholder and promoting One FC and promoting the sport is huge for the sport in the region. It promotes awareness and growth,” pahayag ni One FC CEO Victor Cui.

Hindi ibinunyag ni Cui ang halaga ng shares na binili ng Sarangani Congressman sa One FC.

Nauna nang hinirang si Pacquiao bilang playing coach ng Kia Motors kasunod ang pagsusumite niya ng aplikasyon para sa darating na PBA Rookie Draft sa Agosto 24.

Ang 35-anyos na Sarangani Congressman ay nagmamay-ari ng ilang gyms na nag-aalok ng mga MMA classes at MMA training areas.

Si Pacquiao, ang WBO welterweight champion, ay gumagamit ng 8-ounce gloves sa kanyang mga laban, habang four-ounces gloves naman ang ginagamit sa MMA.

Ang mga Filipino-American MMA artists na pumirma ng kontrata sa One FC ay sina dating UFC contender Brandon ‘The Truth’ Vera at world women’s boxing queen Ana ‘The Hurricane’ Julaton.

“There are a lot of common fans and common ties with MMA and boxing [in the Philippines] and MMA awareness is much stronger than it is in other parts of Asia,” sabi ni Cui. “Manny has been looking for some opportunities outside of boxing, and he and his team have kept an eye on the sport of MMA. It made a lot of sense to him.”