Pitpitunge all set for battle PXC 31

WITH all indications showing he has fully recovered, Crisanto Pitpitunge is set to take up the biggest challenge in his MMA career.

After making it during Friday’s weigh–in, Pitpitunge, Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao said the challenger is on his way to full recovery as he takes on Pacific X-Treme Combat 31 bantamweight champion Justin Cruz.

“It’s good he was able to make weight and were hoping tomorrow he gets 100 percent for the fight,” said Sangiao in a text message.

The 25-year-old Pitpitunge has won all three of his fights in the PXC, including an emphatic win over Gracie jiu-jitsu practitioner Victor Galdon at PXC 29 last February to gain a crack at the crown, as he aims to be the second full bloodied Filipino to win a title in the MMA promotions.

“I want to be the second Filipino champion in the PXC and I will give it my all to become that,” Pitpitunge said, as quoted from interaksyon.com/interaktv where he is out to duplicate Ali Cali’s feat in beating Fil-Guamanian Jesse Taitano to win the vacant flyweight crown and become the first ever Filipino title-holder in the PXC.

Pitpitunge and Cruz will be the main event of the evening with the Team Lakay fither relying on his base sport wushu and muay thai skills.

Cruz, on the other hand, has a good grappling skills and a noted submission expert who has fought five times in the country including fights against Filipino foes.

“Our game plan is to let Cruz and Crisanto stand up because I think Pitpitunge has the upper hand when it comes to striking,” added Sangiao in an earlier interview.

Crisanto, accoridng to Sangiao, can’t afford to let the fight go down the mat as Cruz has a better advantage when he fights on the floor.

"Crisanto is a good striker but for his training we try to put more wrestling and grappling skills because Justin has a good ground game and that's where he thrives," added Sangiao.

PXC 31 will be aired via satellite on AKTV on IBC 13 starting at 9 p.m.