TOM “The Hawk” Woodfin showed that size doesn’t matter in any of his fights as he demolished the heavier Razi Jabbari in the main event of the Universal Reality Combat Championship Cebu 5 “Deliverance” at the jam-packed Cebu International Convention Center last Friday night.
The 26-year-old Woodfin--a member of Yaw-Yan Ardigma and Deftac Cebu-- sent the 26-year-old Iranian to the canvas with a devastating left roundhouse kick to the head in the first round.
Jabbari was out cold and was immediately attended to by the medical team. They administered him with oxygen and brought him out on a stretcher.
Jabbari was aggressive in the beginning of the fight despite being fatigued after shaving off six pounds last Friday, after tipping the scales eight pounds over the contracted weight of 169 pounds.
Jabbari did fairly well against his British opponent in the opening minutes of the first round and landed a few punch combinations to the head before that fateful hit by Woodfin.
“I saw the opening but I never knew what happened,” said Woodfin of his lethal blow to Jabbari. “He was bigger but he was not stronger. Weight was never an issue.”
Woodfin is still undefeated in the URCC with a 2-0 record, while Jabbari is 2-3.
Policeman and MMA warrior Engi “The Destroyer” Piloto suffered another stumbling block in his URCC career as he suffered his second defeat, this time against Richie Redman.
Piloto failed to avenge his previous URCC loss to Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Mark Ediva as he tapped out in the 9:21 mark in the first round due to Redman’s devastating knees to the head and body.
Other fights
Redman improved to 1-2, while Piloto fell to 1-2.
Meanwhile, former pro boxer Arie Zarco showed his resiliency as he subdued last-minute replacement Jerome “The Cruiser Fist” Torbiso via a guillotine choke in the 2:28 mark of the first round.
Maxilito “Hyper Eagle” Yong also retained his URCC Visayas flyweight title after stopping 18-year-old Remus Belguera at 2:01 of round one.
Jimmy Yabo silenced the highly-touted Yaw-Yan Musang stalwart Leo Gaerlan, with a thunderous right hook to the head for a KO win in 5:59 of the first round.
It was Gaerlan’s second straight loss.
Demetrio “The Standard” dela Torre loss his URCC Visayas pinweight title, in his first title defense, as he was outclassed by Victor “The Gladiator”. Dela Torre succumbed to a rear-naked-choke in the 7:22 mark of round two.
Jecar “The Alligator” Tumulak Vender won a close split decision over Sevilla “The Grip” Intoy, Geronimo “The Matador” Etac defeated Wilfredo “Tiger Force” Cajurao via a first round tap out, Jerlyn “The Matador” Liera won by a first round technical knockout over Argie Junsay and Mark “Buhawe” Revalde was victorious via unanimous decision against Siloy “Black Smith” Analito.