Sapno keeps URCC title

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

WHILE Ale "The Young Gun" Cali crowned himself the newest Pacific X-Treme Combat (PXC) flyweight champion, fellow Davao City pride Ricardo “El Matador” Sapno III defended his featherweight title in the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) Baguio: Battleground 4 at the Baguio Convention Center Saturday night.

The 26-year-old Sapno stopped Arnold Agapito of Baguio City via a rear naked choke, six minutes in the first round.

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Sapno, who was a guest in Tuesday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn, said: “I didn’t expect that the fight would end up that quick since we have no idea about the style that the opponent will use. I haven't seen any of his fight videos at all.”

He, however, said Agapito was known to be a good striker considering the latter's background in wushu.

The Dabawenyo ace from Beefit Python's Pit Gym still suffered a minor bruise on his right eye and a broken nose due to a left hook from Agapito.

Sapno recalled that Sapno took down Agapito four times with leg trips and German suplexes that stunned his opponent. Sapno then pounded Agapito with strikes in the ground. He also held Agapito's heel while punching his head and body.

Coach Bambi Posadas said Sapno, who imroved to a 5-1 record, will defend his belt during the One Fight Championship (1FC) set sometime in April in Singapore.

Posadas said, "Sapno will still have a short time to relax before his title defense. We will make sure he will be ready for the April fight."

Team manager Otek Durante praised Cale and Sapno for their recent feats.

"I just hope they will also be given due recognition having brought the city and country honor," Durante said.

Cali, meanwhile, will defend his title in June.