EACH adrenaline-charged fight had the audience of the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Resorts World Manila on the edge of their seats last Saturday, April 23.
With 10 superb bouts including four titles on the line, the Ultimate Reality Combat Championships 27: Rebellion went down as another explosive installment of what is fast-becoming the most exciting mixed martial arts tournament in Asia.
The flyweight contest between bad blood fighters Alvin “Sindikato” Martinez and Carlo “The Samurai” Laurel ended with a stoppage on the 3rd, triggered by a vicious right kick that opened a deep wound on Laurel’s forehead. Martinez followed through with a flurry of punches that prompted the referee to call in the ring physician and stop the fight.
Filipino CJ “The Golden Boy” De Tomas also celebrated a night of glory after avenging his father’s loss to Japanese Hideo “Death from Tokyo” Morikama via a unanimous decision to capture the flyweight championship belt. “Nabawi ko ang karangalan ng apelyido namin (I regained the honor of our name)” said De Tomas after the convincing win.
Also impressive was the TKO win for light heavyweights Chris “The War Machine” Hoffman over brawler Caloy “Bad Boy” Baduria. Early in the fight, Baduria willingly took blows from Hoffman to show that he could absorb the younger Hoffman’s punches. The two exchanged strikes for most of the match with the Bad Boy landing haymakers several times. Unfortunately Baduria wasn’t able to answer the bell for Round 3 due to a shoulder injury giving Hoffman the win.
In the main fight, Filipino Reydon “Red” Romero relinquished his featherweight title in just his second defense to the fast-punching South Korean Do Gyeom Lee. Romero was not able to defend Lee’s spot-on blows which led to a referee stoppage in the 2nd round.
Fans filled the MGB as the URCC held its first event of the year at the largest ballroom in the country after it sealed a partnership with RWM this year.
RWM Chief Operating Officer Stephen Reilly was very optimistic about the team-up.
“The Marriott Grand Ballroom is a place for enormous events and we’re very proud to be hosting the URCC and to have this partnership” he said.
Recently, the MGB also played host to the 4th Asian Taekwondo Poomsae Championships. With an ample 2,500-seating capacity for such athletic events, the 3,000 square meter pillar-less main ballroom proves to be another worthy venue for sports aside from being a comprehensive meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions facility.
For more upcoming events at Resorts World Manila, visit www.rwmanila.com or call the Tourist/Visitor Hotline at (632) 908-8833.
RWM is the first one-stop, non-stop entertainment and leisure destination in the Philippines that features recreational thrills, world-class performances, unique events, and exciting lifestyle options.