Ni Edwin Rollon

MAS malaki at world-class na local mixed martial arts fight card ang matutunghayan sa Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) matapos ang muling pakikipagtambalan sa San Miguel Corporation.

Ipinahayag ni URCC president Alvin Aguilar na nakalinya ang dalawang title fight sa URCC 31: Vendetta sa Agosto at URCC 33 sa Nobyembre bunsod nang ayudang nakuha sa nangungunang beverage at beer brand, gayundin ang pagbibigay suporta ng Pangulong Duterte.

“We’re proud to announce that SMC, particularly the Red Horse brand renewed its partnership with us with the Araneta Coliseum as the official venue partner for all URCC fight card for 2017,” pahayag ni Aguilar, pangulo rin Wrestling Association of the Philippines (WAP).

“URCC line-up world class fight featuring the country’s finest fighter and several known foreign striker. This is our chance to shine and there’s no let up as far as putting premium to world class fight,” aniya.

Ibinida rin ni Aguilar na masusundan ang matagumpay na URCC international event sa San Francisco, California nitong Enero sa ilalargang URCC XXX sa China sa Hulyo 8, 2017 kung saan sasabak ang Team Philippines laban sa pinakamahuhusay na fighter ng Mainland.

Pangungunahan ang Team Philippines nina two-division URCC middleweight and light heavyweight champion Chris Hofmann ng DEFTAC at URCC women’s flyweight world champion Geli Bulaong ng Subsports Philippines.

Makakasama nila sina lightweight contender Isaiah ‘The Messiah’ Ordiz, rising star bantamweight Rodian ‘The Redeemer’ Menchavez, Rex ‘Knockout King’ De Lara, Jojo ‘El Matador’ Orao, Paolo Castillo at Ralf Francisco.

“After 15 years in the fight business, the future shines even brighter now as URCC and the China-Philippines Martial Arts Development Association is now supported by President Rodrigo Duterte and officially endorsed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Martial Arts Council,” pahayag ni Aguilar.

Nagbigay din ng suporta ang Games and Amusement Board (GAB), sa pamamagitan ni chairman Abraham Mitra, na nangako na magbabantay upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng mga fighters batay sa itinatadhana ng batas.

“GAB adhere to rules and policy in professional sports. Magbabantay kami para masiguro na walang mismatch at masiguro ang safety at welfare ng mga participants. We make sure that all fighters must passed the medical examination and drug-free,” pahayag ni Mitra, kasabay ang pangako na isusulong sa Kongreso na magkaroon ng karagdagang pondo ang ahenisya para matustusan ang medical na pangangailangan ng mga fighter.

Sinabi rin ni Aguilar na lumagda ng kontrata sa URCC sina dating ONE FC fighter Mark Streigl at model Kiko Matos, inaasahang bubuhayin ang hidwaan sa actor na si Baron Geisler.

“We also signed partnership with former San Juan vice mayor Francis Zamora in launching frassroots program for mixed martial arts, jiu-jitsu and wrestling,” sambit ni Aguilar. “This will greatly benefit the youth in the area targeting, and possibly molding the next URCC champions and Olympic medalist.”