EMERGING Cordilleran mixed martial artists will stake pride and glory against tough opponents from different parts of the country in the second run of Fight Sports Tournament (FIST) at the La Trinidad Gym, Benguet on April 30.
Dubbed the "Rising Sun," Baguio City’s Rama Krishna Wasan aims to kick-start his professional MMA career with a dominant win when he takes on veteran fighter Wilson "Ice Man" Managuio of Manila in the main event.
Wasan will look to capitalize on his longer reach and a 4-inch height advantage against the shorter but stockier Managuio who has fought in the country and abroad.
A bemedalled taekwondo black belt, Wasan beefed up his arsenal cross-training grappling at Tribal Torogi Gym and boxing at Highland Boxing Stable.
“I have been training all my life and I also want to bring honor and pride not just to the Igorot people but to the country,” Wasan, who will banner Team Eric Kelly, said.
The Baguio bantamweight is cousins with ONE Championship fighting brothers Eric and Edward Kelly.
In the supporting MMA bouts, Benguet fighters Biondi Dayangadang and Roy Menzi Jr. will test the mettle of James Bayucan of Cagayan and Russell del Rosario of Leyte, respectively.
Gabriel Andres of Baguio City and Erick Angyab of Sagada, Mt. Province will make their professional debut against boxer-turned-MMA fighters Kim Galon of Davao and Mark Anasco of Pampanga, respectively.
Aside from the MMA bouts, fight fans will delight in five pure striking action under K1 rules in partnership with Congressman Ronald Cosalan and Mayor Melchor Diclas. K1 is a fighting discipline akin to kickboxing developed in Japan.
Fought as the co-main event, Red Lion Martial Arts kickboxer Joeffrey Castro of Nueva Vizcaya will battle South Korean fighter Ju Jae Hyeok who currently trains at Team Lakay in San Fernando, La Union.
Kapangan, Benguet native Bryan Caw-as will face Hungduan, Ifugao’s Genesis Dungaya while Baguio’s David Andrada will strut his wares against Roldan Lingbanan of Bontoc, Mt. Province.
Additionally, La Trinidad’s Michael Rimando will clash with Raffy Lim of La Union while Jerell Banaken of Baguio will be pitted against Mae Anne Abellera of Buguias, Benguet in the lone female bout of the night.
Fist is the only combat sports promotion in Northern Luzon sanctioned by the Games and Amusement Board and the World Kickboxing League – Asia.
“We have high hopes these upcoming MMA and K1 athletes will follow in the footsteps of other fighters who have brought pride and honor to the Filipino people like Team Lakay, Jujeath Nagaowa, among other,” Fist chairman Lee Buasen said. (Karlston Lapniten)