Invincible stakes titles

BECAUSE of the growing popularity of MMA in Cebu City, Yaw-Yan founder and CEO Benigno “Ekin” Caniga has added flavor to the two main fights of the upcoming Ground and Pound (GNP)­— “Invincible” on July 14 at Cebu Coliseum by declaring them as title fights.

“For the first time, we will promote professional fights. MMA in Cebu has grown and that is why I have decided to give two championship belts to add color to our promotion,” Caniga said in Cebuano in a press conference yesterday.

Mark “The Terminator” Araneta and Butuan’s Lord Rey “Punisher” Yamit will fight for the GNP lightweight crown, while Yaw-Yan Ardigma’s kickboxing standout Renan “Limbas” Noblefranca and Steve “Lightning” Sevilleno are vying for the YawYan Fighting Challenge Championship (YFCC) bantamweight in the kickboxing main bout.

“I’m excited that i will be fighting for a championship belt. This has motivated me to train harder,” said Araneta.

The inception of title belts is just the first move of Yaw-Yan Ardigma in its goal to be at par with the other MMA organizations in Manila. Aside from belts, Caniga is also planning to start making fighter rankings, much like in boxing, in the different divisions with the help of the Games and Amusements Board.

Tickets for the latest edition of the GNP series are pegged at P1,000 for the VIP row, P500 for ringside seats, P350 for lower box and P150 for upper box.

The event also features a rare clash of two senior martial arts founders in a kickboxing exhibition.

The 41-year-old founder of Soma Kick Boxing Club, Allan Epile, settles his long-time score with 60-year-old Durex Dragon Kick Boxing Club originator Ben Torbiso.

Both Cebu martial arts pillars were supposed to face each other over two decades ago but an unfortunate downpour forced their fight to be cancelled.