King Of The Cage MMA to debut in the Philippines on July 5
Another Mixed Martial Arts promotion is set to inject even more excitement into the country's seething fight scene, when King Of The Cage comes to the Philippines.
On July 5 in the Mall of Asia Arena, KOTC will unveil its first Philippine fight card with two title fights as co-main events.
Hawaiian Lowen Tynanes will stake his KOTC Junior Welterweight (160 lb.) belt against Joe “The Technician” Condon, also of the USA. Middleweight (180 lb.) champ Sean Strickland will also defend his title against Japan's Yuske Sakashita of Japan. Tynanes is one-fourth Filipino.
Eight undercard bouts will feature Filipino pugilists who earned the right to fight at the KOTC qualifiers last May 19.
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KOTC founder Terry Trebilcock was at the press conference in Ultimate Fitness Gym in Metrowalk last Saturday and waxed lyrical about the skill of Filipino fighters.
“They are phenomenal strikers” said Trebilcock, who founded KOTC in 1998. “They have better training here than almost anywhere in the world. At 155, 145, 135 (pounds) it's just so deep here.”
The athleticism of Filipino fighters is superior” he added. “Soon the lighter weights will be dominated by Filipinos.”
Trebilcock also lauded Manny Pacquiao. “Pacquiao takes risks, which is why he is well-received around the world, not like Floyd Mayweather, who happens to be my friend.”
Around twety Filipino fighters have been signed by KOTC on contracts up to five years long. Trebilcock says that each fighter should expect around four to six fights a year, more than many other promotions, which should accelerate their development.
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One of the Pinoy fighters who should see action that night is Reign Sotto. He and the other Filipino fighters were at the press conference working out for the cameras. It was noted that Sotto broke the arm of an opponent during the qualifers.
KOTC fighters are also allowed to perform in other promotions “if the fight makes sense for us” says Trebilcock. Tynanes has appeared in Universal Reality Combat Challenge, where he defeated Eduard Folayang last December. He recently took out Peruvian-Swiss fighter Felipe Enomoto in ONE FC Rise to Power last May 31 in Manila.
“We aren't here to hurt other organizations” says Trebilcock. “It's better if everybody grows as a whole.”
KOTC staff are quick to point out that they enjoy great relations with URCC, ONE FC and Pacific Extreme Combat, or PXC.
King of the Cage has produced over 500 shows in nine different countries all over the world. The outfit has title belts in eleven different weight classes, from Flyweight to Super Heavyweight. KOTC also has a Women's Junior Flyweight champ in Brenda Gonzales.
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Shows are aired in the USA on MAVTV but KOTC can also be seen in over fifty countries worldwide. Solar Sports will be KOTC's Philippine broadcast partner and will air the fight card on July 7.
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will appear in the event, but to do promotional work and not fight. The 34-year old former Ultimate Fighting Championship Light Heavyweight Champ is known for his unpredictability.
When asked what role Jackson might play in the event, Trebilcock said “I am not sure. I don't think anyone is qualified to know what he will do, not even Rampage.”
One of the most respected MMA referees will also be in the mix to officiate. Herb Dean, veteran of more than three thousand fights, many in UFC, will be the man in the middle for a lot of the fights.
KOTC has priced its tickets to move. Upper Box is just P350, Lower Box still a very reasonable P550. Patron tickets go for P1,000 and a VIP seat can be had for P2,500. You can get tickets at www.smtickets.com.
KOTC is planning another Philippine card later on in the year.
Visit the King of the Cage Philippines Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KOTCph.
Follow Bob on Twitter @bhobg333.
List of Undercards:
Rabin Catalan (FCI) vs. Genil Francisco (Maic's Gym) 125lbs
Alvin Ramirez (Yawyan Buhawi) vs.Francis Curilan (Legion MMA) 125lbs
Dean Bermudez (Safehouse) vs. Rex Tanduyan (Yawyan Kampilan ) 135lbs.
Mickey Ablan (SubSport) vs. Ralf Francisco (Real Men Fighters)
Carlos Tiongson (SubSport) vs. Fadi Alhamoui (Team Konstriktor)
Chow Garcia (FIST/Tiger MMA) vs. Winnie Paderna (Elorde Maceda) 145lbs.
Mike Bunag (FIST/Tiger MMA) vs. JM Figueras (Yawyan Buhawi) 145lbs.
Reign Sotto (SubSport) vs. Francis Frac (Fitness Quest)
