RENAN “Flash” Noblefranca proved that he still has plenty left in the tank after winning by unanimous decision over Christian Mark Bughaw in a kickboxing match featured during the 57th Araw ng Sirawai “Sagupaan MMA Fight 2025” last Friday, June 13, in Sirawai, Zamboanga del Norte.
It was Noblefranca’s first kickboxing appearance since 2022, when he stopped Ramil Yacapin in the first round in Dipolog City.
Since then, he has transitioned to boxing, logging two fights in 2023 and another in 2024.
Back in his element as a kickboxer, Noblefranca overwhelmed Bughaw with his vicious roundhouse kicks and spinning backfists to seal the emphatic win.
In his corner was Yaw-Yan Ardigma Cebu founder and CEO Master Benigno “Ekin” Caniga Jr., who was accompanied by his son Ian. Caniga, who was out of the martial arts scene for quite some time, said Noblefranca’s impressive victory has rekindled his passion for martial arts.
“I’m very happy that Flash won. My passion for martial arts has returned after I laid low since 2023,” Caniga told SunStar Cebu.
Caniga now plans to reopen the famed Yaw-Yan Ardigma Cebu Gym and hopes to find a better location.
“The Yaw-Yan Gym will open soon. I’m still looking for a better place with a parking area. Hopefully, I can reopen the gym this year.
Caniga Jr., the pioneer of MMA in Cebu, will be preparing Noblefranca for the upcoming Muay Thai Visayas Leg 2025 in Ormoc City in the next few months and the National Muay Thai Championship qualifiers in Pasig City at the end of the year. / EKA