URCC 21 Warpath The Event That Rocked pt 1

URCC 21 Warpath The Event That Rocked pt 1

Published on April 30, 2012 by The Editor in URCC

MMAnewsAsia was pleased to be present at URCC 21 Warpath Not only was it an excellent event but it celebrated URCC founder Alvin Aguilar’s Birthday, a special event indeed.

So this is the glamorous life of the MMA fighter is it?

I met two of the fighters we will call them by their code names to protect the innocent. So Mugen and The Kill! I met them at their hotel and so we and their entourage of hangers-on, which of course included myself!  We Were ready to leave for the venue. We all got into the team limo, all seven of us in a car built for five normal sized people, not a super tall white guy or a super fat white guy! So we were all squeezed together very intimately. 

It was another scorching hot Manila day and I may or may not have already had a couple of  ice-cold san mig lites to guide me on my journey at the Cubana Cafe on P. Burgos  the fighters of course could not join me pre-event.

Arriving at the very smart SMX convention centre the fighters and I lined up for our passes, they got theirs soon enough but I was left pass-less and hot in the sunshine surrounded by the other participants and assorted others all trying to get their passes.  There was nothing sinister in it my pass just had not turned up yet, it was soon sorted and I had an All Access pass. MMAnewsAsia had finally arrived in Manila, thanks URCC.

I wandered around the arena, the ring sitting raised in the middle with its walkway awaiting the fighters entrances. Sound was being tested and lights were flashing, my excitement was building.

For the fighters, a different build up, friends arrived bearing gifts, walk-in t-shirts and a banner to display when they enter the ring. Next it’s time for them to get their wraps on and then just prepare for the coming storm however that’s an hour or more away so time to relax. To get their mindset ready.

The fighters tents are split into the two corners, they are quiet places where the fighters just prepare, there is no glamour here it’s all about the business of getting ready. However thankfully on such a hot afternoon it is air-conditioned. There was a TV in the room which was showing a feed of the ring they would all soon be approaching. But for now they just had to wait.

While the stadium fills up, a female presenter from the Colt 45 beer people was running some fun and easy competitions in an attempt to give away buckets of beer. Some quizzes, some fights with giant boxing gloves and some beer chugging.

The clock ticked on past eight and still the build up continued the crowd were slowly filing in.

At nine pm the band were ready to play, what band? Oh I didn’t tell you about the band? Sorry a band were ready to blast out some sounds. Then the national anthem was played and everybody stood and observed it.

Next we got to meet all the fighters and then it was the birthday boys turn, Alvin Aguilar head honcho at the URCC, this was his baby ten years ago and my how it’s grown.

Let’s get to the fights!

For those of you familiar with the UFC or ONE FC the rules at URCC might come as a bit of a surprise.

The fights are two round affairs but the rounds are 10 minutes each with two minutes between rounds. Also as there are no draws allowed in URCC events, if it’s level after two rounds then there is a third round of 5 minutes.

In case anybody is wondering. I love these rules. I wish ONE FC had copied them.

Fred Lim jnr Vs Adam “Kim” Cacay

Round 1:

Lim went to ground after a kick and from that moment on Cacay was in control, but somehow Lim turned it around and was soon in full mount and proceeded to ground and pound, then he got Cacays back and attempted a rear naked choke, eventually Lim lost position and again Cacay was on top and in control and that’s how it continued swaying from one side to the other, very even.

Round 2.

Cacay began the second round on top against the ropes and so the ref moved it to the centre of the ring, Cacay was still looking comfortable until Lim once again turned it around. The crowd was well into this and the fighters were both of a god quality.

The fight continued to switch back and forth until finally at 6:40 of round 2 Cacay finished it with an armbar, Lim did not want to tap and fought it for as long a possible but eventually he had to tap.

A great first fight. 16 minutes of to and fro action.

Bout 2.

Charles de Tomas Vs Issac Tuling

Round 1.

This was another two round battle. de Tomas started the fight on top and looking very comfortable and in full control, he was using some nice elbows while on the ground. The fight sung back Tulings way as he had de Tomas in a  guillotine choke but not for long, next de Tomas had applied a serious armbar attempt which somehow Tuling turned into and survived. By this stage Tuling was bleeding from a cut to his forehead. The first round finished with the two fighters evenly matched and still going at it.

Round 2.

This round again was a real backward and forward affair but eventually just before the end of the fight at 9:29 Tulling won via tap out.

Well we were two fights in and both had gone deep and both were cracking affairs full of heart and excitement. This may be because one of the aces up the URCC’s sleeve is the excellent matchmaking skills of Will Carlos. I truly believe that this man is the best matchmaker in Asia. If only ONE FC would ask him to matchmake their events (unhindered), they truly could become the pinnacle of MMA in Asia.

Before the next fight I wish to tell you that the level of refereeing so far is exceptional and the MC is a real character with a great sense of humour and charisma. These guys are making this show a joy.

Bout 3.

Russel Iniong Vs Mark Dialogo

This fight was yet another barnstormer. Standing up they were very balanced, both men swinging for the hills in an attempt to take the others head off. On the ground it was a different story as Iniong was always in control.

Unless Dialogo could catch him during the stand up exchanges it could be a long evening for him and as it turned out it was as the fight went into the second round and at the 7:20 mark, Iniong finished it with an Arm Bar.

Three fights and all have gone past the 15 minute mark, this is exceptional entertainment.

That’s the end of the first part of our coverage. Part two will follow after yet more san mig lites have been consumed. Manila is treating us well, very well.