FORMER bantamweight champion Crisanto Pitpitunge makes another return to the cage after almost seven month layoff when he squares off against Josh Duenas in the Pacific X-treme Comnat on June 27 in Guam.
After winning the promotion’s 125 lbs belt in 2012, it was downhill for the Team Lakay fighter who now doubles as a member of the Philippine National Police force losing two successive fights in the Guam based promotions.
Pitpitunge won the bantamwieght crown when he defeated Justin Cruz via a first round knockout against the former champion Justin Cruz way back in November 2012.
But his reign in the PXC would not last long as Japanese Michinori Tanaka snacthed the belt via a five round unanimous decision on May 2013 and another submission loss in November of 2013 by Han Bin Park.
The former champion, who has five wins and three losses, needs to at least break the two game skid if he wants to return to the top of the bantamweight ladder in the PXC while Duenas, with a 4-4 card hails from Saipan.
Troy Bantiag, another Team Lakay fighter will also see action in the event showcasing international talent from around the region.
Bantiag has been a formidable opponent for many in the PXC bantamweight division as he squares off against Guam’s Kyle Aguon in a bantamweight bout (135 pounds) with possible title implications.
Pitpitunge and Bantiag will be fighting outside the country for the first time which will also be simultaneous with the bout of Roldan Sangcha-an in New Zealand for the UFC Fight Night.