FILIPINO-PORTUGUESE actor Kiko Matos, who became popular after his highly publicized “bigwasan” match with actor Baron Geisler last year, won his first fight in the Universal Reality Combat Championship against Billy Jack Magana Sanchez last Aug. 12 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Matos defeated Sanchez via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in Round 1 at the 2:15 mark. URCC President and Founder Alvin Aguilar congratulated Matos, saying he knew the actor would win because he had been taking his MMA and Jiu-jitsu training seriously.
“Thanks to all the fans, friends, brothers in my fraternity , and my family who supported my fight, especially my mother who is here today. Thank you, Coach Michael Park and Alvin Aguilar,” said Matos after the fight.
The indie actor, who stars in the first Cinemalaya entry of Megastar Sharon Cuneta, “Ang Pamilyang Hindi Lumuluha,” is choosing among Polo Ravales, Carlos Agassi and JM Deguzman to fight next.
“I want more challenging matches, if there’s no other celebrity who can fight me here in MMA, then I might go pro,” said Matos.
At the URCC XXX, the four champions retained their belts. Chris Hofman, the URCC’s only two-division champion, won his seventh straight victory after beating Canadian challenger Robert Sothmann. Hofman dropped Sothmann late in the first round and unloaded a barrage of strikes from top-position, forcing the referee to stop the contest.
Mark Striegl won via submission against Filipino MMA pioneer Andrew Benibe in the first round with a masterful Americana.
“It feels great. Andrew is really tough. It’s a great opportunity for this win in debut fight in URCC,” said Striegl.
Derrick Easterling defended his URCC flyweight title for the first time after winning it back in January of 2017 by knocking out inaugural Fight Farm Series winner Jiar Castillo in the second round.
South Korean grappler Do Gyeom Lee hooked his URCC featherweight belt against Jojo Orao by securing the Rear Naked Choke. It was his third straight win.
Strawweight defending titleholder Fritz Biagtan defeated Solomon Dultra via third round stoppage win.
