Sarenas, Kelly go for vacant URCC titles

MANILA, Philippines - Eric Kelly of Yaw Yan Ardigma and Froilan Sarenas of Submission Sports Philippines hope to join the elite circle of winners in the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) when they vie for the vacant crowns in the URCC-Colt 45 XVIII at the A. Venue Events Hall in Makati City tonight.

Dubbed as “Relentless,” Kelly battles Nate Flores of Saipan’s Predator Combat/Konflikt for the featherweight title while Sarenas takes on SPRAWL’s Jerry Legaspi for the middleweight title in the event presented by Colt 45 and Tribal Gear.

Sarenas and Legaspi will be fighting for the crown vacated by Chinese Zhang Tie Quan, who recently signed up with US promotion WEC – a sister outfit of the UFC.

A Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, Sarenas is eyeing a follow-up to his victory over Razi Jabbari while Legaspi is out to redeem himself from a stinging defeat to Angelito Manguray.

Apart from the two championship fights, eight other bouts are lined up for Filipino mixed martial arts (MMA) fans in the event backed by Alaxan FR and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The first fight starts at 8 p.m. with URCC founder and president Alvin Aguilar expecting another explosive action.

“All fights are going to be a close call, nobody holds a clear advantage,” said Aguilar, hoping to produce another star in the event in the mold of wushu specialist Eduard Folayang.

The other fights expected to draw attention is the bantamweight clash between Jessie Rafols of D’Elements gym and Jessie Salvador of Ju-Muay and heavyweight tussle between Jose Campo Jr. and Pete Brooks.

Other matches are Roel Pacional vs Arnel Arancina, Noble Ampoc vs Regie Amarante, John Victor Vizconde vs Alvin Ramirez, and Frank Navarro vs Nicholas Mann, Sulpiano Laurio vs Onyok Transmonte and George Lusadan vs MJ Abrillo.

Tickets are available at TicketWorld (891.9999). For details, log on to www.urccmma.com.