PXC 35 Sarmiento Puts His Title On The Line

source manilastandardtoday.com

Fil-Am Sarmiento puts PXC title on the line

Slambang action is expected when Fil-Am Harris Sarmiento stakes his lightweight title against undefeated young fighter Isaiah Ordiz this Saturday in PXC 35 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Ordiz, who has just two wins in mixed martial arts fighting, but a perfect 16-0 as a muay thai fighter, upped the ante last Tuesday when he claimed Harris, coming off a submission loss in a non-title fight last November, is ripe for the picking.

But Sarmiento, dubbed the “Hitman,” laughed it off, saying when he lost to Baguio’s Mark Striegl, he was not in his top fighting shape because he had to shed lots of weight to make the featherweight limit.

Back in his regular fighting weight, Sarmiento, 29, claimed the 27-year-old Ordiz, a native of Laguna, is in for a hell of a fight.

Sarmiento has won 35 and lost 24, and is one of the most experienced fighters in the Asia-Pacific region where the PXC has made big inroads as the MMA organization.

PXC chief executive officer EJ Calvo said the fight will be a big test for Ordiz.

“We love testing young fighters. When a young fighter wins, he gets a shot at a bigger fight,” said Calvo, adding: “PXC-35 brings a great mix of international talents back to Manila. PXC’s live broadcasts have helped make MMA one of the fastest growing sports in the Philippines. It has been a great opportunity for fighters to gain exposure.”

Clashing in the main supporting bout of the event presented by San Mig Strong Ice and Sports 5 and backed by E-Games, Fitness First, FHM Philippines, FHM.com.ph, Premiere Condoms, Healthway Agility Phil, Beer Below Zero, Eden NightClub, Real Sports Radio, and Loqal.ph are American Alvin Cacdac (11-9) and undefeated Hawaiian Louis “Da Last Samurai” Smolka, with the winner likely to be the next contender for the flyweight crown currently held by Filipino Ale “The Young Gun” Cali.

Guam’s Tony Reyes (5-5) battles Team Lakay’s Troy Bantiag (4-1), Japanese Chuji Kato (3-1) takes on Korean Top Team’s Hong Seung Chan (2-0), and Hawaiian Ronald Jhun (24-24) faces Zebastian Kadestam (3-0) of Sweden.

MORE ON THE EVENT HERE

PXC 35 - Fightcard and Preview

PXC 35 - Preview and Fightcard

This Saturday Night in MMA mad Manila at the Ynares Sports Arena one of Asia's biggest most recognisable MMA organisations Pacific X-Treme will roll out there 35th event.

PXC are not an organisation that thrives on hype or by controlling what is written about their events, they prefer to let the success of their events and their fighters speak for themselves and they declare the real ticket sales figures and TV viewers that their events achieve.

So, we have decided to have a look at the card and have our say.

Bout 1: Lightweight: Glen Ranillo (1-2-0) vs Mark Billena (debut)

Ranillo has had all his pro fights in the PXC and needs a to put on a big display after suffering two losses in a row. Billena is making his pro debut so will to a big degree be an unknown quantity at this level.

Bout 2: Featherweight: Miguel Mosquera (debut) vs Steve Grandeza (0-1-0) 

Mosquera is making his debut against Grandeza who lost last time out on his own debut at 2:20 of Round 1.

Bout 3: Flyweight: Ruel Catalan (1-2-0) vs Ernesto Montilla Jr (0-1-0)

Catalan lost his pro debut at the URCC, then pulled a win at a little known organisation that only has one bout listed on Sherdog.com, from that he was picked up by Legend where he lost in round 1 via submission. He would appear to be a a tough but beatable opponent to Montillo who lost his debut via a decision.  

Bout 4: Welterweight: Ronald Jhun (24-25-2) vs Zebaztian Kadestam (3-0-0)

Jhun is a vastly experienced fighter who started his career like a fireball and even had two attempts at the UFC both losses, since his second UFC loss (2004 to Chris Lytle) his career has been on a terrible long downward slide standing at 3-13-0 so although at a casual glance this might look like a mismatch it actually might be a great opportunity for Kadestam who has two wins at DARE and last time out on his PXC debut. This could be a very interesting bout.

Bout 5: Bantamweight: Dario Banario (2-0-0) vs Joseph Mercado (1-0-0)

Banario started in the URCC with a win on his debut then he moved on to PXC where he fought to a tough decision win. Mercado stands at 1-1 but his loss via decision was to Troy Bantiag who is one of the toughest Bantamweights in the Philippine Bantamweight class.

Bout 6: Lightweight: Chuji Kato (3-1-1) vs Egon Racz (2-3-1)

Kato makes his PXC debut after a decent career in Shooto. Racz needs to put on a decent showing to get his career back on song. He was a late replacement for Egon Racz.

Bout 7: Bantamweight: Tony Reyes (5-5-0) vs Troy Bantiag (4-1-0) 

Reyes is on a terrible four fight losing streak although all but the last one were via decisions. Bantiag is going to be a really tough bout for Reyes.

Bout 8: Flyweight: Louis Smolka (2-0-0) vs Alvin Cacdac (11-9-0) 

Smolka has two solid wins but is coming up against Cacdac who is a kind of win one lose one guy, this could be a tough bout with the winner moving up the ladder a few steps.

Bout 9: PXC Lightweight Title Bout:

Harris Sarmiento (35-24-0) vs Isaiah Ordiz (2-0-0)

What can you say about Harris Sarmiento? not many people amass a pro career of almost 60 bouts, the fact that Sarmiento is going to do that before age 30 is amazing and he for sure will want to do that retaining his championship. Of course last time out he stepped down a weight class to tackle one of PXC's fastest rising stars Mark Striegl, a mistake as Stiregl dispatched him with apparent ease. 

Ordiz is a different kind of opponent with just two fights and wins to his name this might be seen as a lop sided bout. Ordiz has proved he is fit and tough by going the distance both times including a recent split decision win against Tristan Arenal ex Strikeforce fighter. Ordiz has a great boxing game, however that might not be a great way to tackle Sarmiento. Expect fireworks!