Zeus Fight League came out swinging last Friday, July 25, with Road To Olympus 2, a ten-bout showcase staged at DD Night Club in Quezon City. Billed as a relatively minor card from the year-old promotion, the event defied expectations and brought the house down with a string of highlight-reel finishes and compelling storylines.
In fact, it felt like a throwback to the promotion’s earlier days at the SM North Edsa Skydome just five kilometers away. But this time, it wasn’t the venue doing the heavy lifting — it was the competitors. With most matches ending inside the distance, Road to Olympus 2 is now firmly in the conversation for Philippine MMA’s 2025 Event of the Year.
Nowhere was this energy more evident than on the main card, where all six professional contests were settled without the help of the judges. While the night was packed with memorable performances, three athletes stood out above the rest:
3. Alex Bigander
One of the evening’s breakout stars was Alex Bigander, who took a major step up in competition by facing seasoned veteran Arvin Chan in the co-headliner at middleweight.
Standing at 5-foot-9, Bigander entered the cage with a chip on his shoulder, determined to demonstrate he belonged on the big stage opposite a man with 22 fights to his name. And prove it he did — dominating Chan from the opening bell with a suffocating ground attack that left little room for offense.
Ironically, despite Chan’s reputation as the superior striker, it was Bigander who landed the sharper punches during the brief exchanges. Though he faced early adversity in the first round, Bigander stayed composed and surged back in the second, overwhelming Chan with relentless ground-and-pound that forced the referee to step in.
Now 4-0 with all victories coming by stoppage, the 21-year-old has officially arrived.
2. John Rey Alejandro
John Rey Alejandro entered Road to Olympus 2 as a name to watch — and he left it with serious buzz surrounding his future.
Tasked with taking on the battle-tested Ariel Oliveros — a veteran of BRAVE Combat Federation and UAE Warriors — Alejandro made it look like just another day at the office. From the outset, the Alpha One representative showed no signs of nerves, quickly taking “Joker” to the mat and flaunting his dangerous submission game.
Midway through the first round, Alejandro nearly sealed the win with a tight armbar. But true to his nickname “Slick,” he seamlessly transitioned to a kneebar as Oliveros tried to scramble to his feet, forcing the tap at the 3:30 mark of round one.
With this emphatic performance, Alejandro showed he’s more than just a prospect — he’s a real threat in the flyweight division. Fellow contenders would be wise to take notice.
Honorable Mention: Ar-Jay Ortega def. Rhino Casipe via submission (kneebar) at 3:36 of Round 1 – Bantamweight
1. Jake Bron
If Road to Olympus 2 is in the running for Event of the Year, Jake Bron vs. Kimbert Alintozon is a clear-cut candidate for Fight of the Year.
In the night’s main event, the two up-and-comers threw caution to the wind in a scheduled five-round war for the vacant ZFL flyweight championship. What ensued was a frenetic, action-packed encounter filled with thunderous exchanges, menacing submissions, and momentum swings that had the crowd inside DD Night Club on their feet.
From piston-like left hooks to punishing takedowns, neither fighter gave an inch. But in the final frame, it was Bron who found another gear. Pouring on the pressure, he battered Alintozon with a barrage of strikes, eventually forcing his opponent’s corner to throw in the towel.
By pushing Alintozon to the brink, Bron not only exhibited his resilience — he displayed that he’s a champion who won’t go down without a fight. Now with gold wrapped around his waist, “Venom” carries a target on his back and a reputation to uphold.
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