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Friday, March 29, 2024

PNP Chief Dela Rosa is big MMA fan

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PHILIPPINE National Police chief Ronald Dela Rosa, who recently challenged vigilantes to a gun duel, can also put away his gun and engage any one in a hand-to-hand combat.

After all, the burly top cop is also a martial arts expert.

“I trained in judo, karate and boxing,” revealed Dela Rosa, wearing a specially designed Team Lakay shirt in support of the Filipino fighter Eduard Folayang.

Dela Rosa was at cageside and rooted for Benguet pride Folayang, who successfully retained his ONE Championship lightweight title against tough Malaysian challenger Ev Ting on Friday night at the Mall of Asia arena.

PNP General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa posing the patented Duterte fist. 

“Support natin ito para kay (Eduard) Folayang,” Dela Rosa told a small group of reporters as they briefly interrupted the fans who lined up to have their pictures taken with the popular police officer.

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Dela Rosa admitted he is a big fan of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and intently followed the sport since its beginning in the 80s era of Brazilian jiujitsu master Royce Gracie.

Dela Rosa, who watched the ONE Championship for the first time, and the full-house crowd were treated to a night of thrilling actions as Folayang led Team Lakay’s onslaught against their foreign foes.

There were other VIP guests who cheered for the Filipinos but Dela Rosa maintained a low-profile presence.

Boxing senator Manny Pacquiao, a ONE Championship shareholder, was with some politician friends.  He later went inside the cage to award the belt to Folayang.

In the co-main event, Folayang’s Team Lakay teammate Kevin Belingon demolished Toni Tauru on the way to a submission victory via verbal tapout in round one.

Other Lakay fighters who shone bright were Honorio Banario, who knocked out Jaroslav Jartim with a single left hook at 1:31 minutes of round 2 in their bantamweight bout; Danny Kingad who dominated Muhammad Aiman in their flyweight clash and Gina Iniong, who decisioned Natalie Hills in their women’s atomweight bout.

Robin Catalan defeated Jeremy Miado by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds of their all-Filipino tussle. The only Filipino casualty of the night was Eugene Toquero who bowed to Indonesian Tefer Rahardian.

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