Fearless Fighting blasts off at Ynares

MANILA, Philippines - Non-stop mixed martial arts action explodes tonight at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City with the country’s top fighters slugging it out in a series of no-holds-barred contests before an expected banner crowd.

Joel Amurao, the 28-year-old warrior from University of Cordillera, stakes his featherweight crown against Kid Rodel Orais in one of the three featured fights lined up in the blockbuster card aptly dubbed “Uprising” which fires off at 7 p.m.

Ryan “Lion” Diaz battles Swede Niclas Odell, who replaced Baby Joe Taimanglo, in the lightweight category while Razi Jabarri and Cesar Yarte duel in the other title clash in the middleweight division of the event put up by Fearless Promotions Inc. to provide the country’s premier fighters a venue where they could hone their talent and skills.

Backing the keenly awaited event are Metrocard Club, Pagcor and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Superb Security Agency with Malaya, Business Mirror, I-Mag, Phil. Graphic, I-Watch, Magic 89.9, NU 107 and YES-FM as media partners and Makisig Network Inc.

Ushering in the three title showdowns are nine action-packed duels among the country’s upcoming mixed martial arts fighters with Jef Morante and Harold Bucayo kicking off the explosive fightcard in the 129-lb division.

Wilbur Lara takes on Alvin Ramirez in another featherweight (129 lbs) battle while Leonardo Delarmino tests Frances Caldeza’s mettle and Isaac Tuling squaring off with Denver Labador, both in the 149-lb (lightweight) class.

Organizers of the event expect a battle royale in all matchups in the undercard, including the Mark de Guzman-Onyok duel, the Dennis Salazar-Celso Gunda fight and the Artemio Mangcol-Swing Ellar clash in the 129-lb division.

Completing the undercard are the Miguel Alo-Manilo Espejo and Miguel Costillas-Jenner Biocales matchups, both in the lightweight category.

Meanwhile, the organizing Fearless Promotions Inc. is also set to bring the popular mixed martial arts events in Luzon with plans of expanding to the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

For tickets and details, contact TicketNet at 911-5555.

Mixed martial arts is fast becoming a favorite sport among Filipinos with the techniques used in the sport falling into two categories, striking techniques (such as kicks, knees and punches) and grappling styles (such as clinch holds, pinning holds, submission holds, sweeps, takedowns and throws).

Apart from the coming Fearless 9 exploding on Saturday, the Fearless Fighting Championships are set to invade the countryside within the year.

The organizing Fearless Promotions Inc., headed by matchmaker Robert San Diego, is planning to bring the popular mixed martial arts events in Luzon, and then barring financial constraints, may eventually include the Visayas and Mindanao regions.   -- end it//thanks