Combat sports fans will be treated to a night full of action when world-class warriors from the Cordillera usher in the return of kickboxing event on Dec. 16 as part of the month-long celebration of the 2021 Adivay Festival.
Backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas (SKP) and the provincial government of Benguet, the event will feature active mixed martial arts fighters and members of the national kickboxing squad.
Foremost in the list of fighters to be seen in action at the Benguet Sports Complex in Wangal, La Trinidad is former ONE featherweight world champion Honorio Banario who will be up against 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Jerry Olsim.
The Banario-Olsim bout will be the main card of the fight night under the SKP kickboxing rule.
Also to see action are 2019 SEA Games gold medalist and 2014 World Cup Wushu-Sanda champion Jean Claude Saclag and Crispin Rabanera, a known knockout artist with a record of 13 wins and two losses.
SKP national athletes Carlo Von Bumina-ang of Ifugao and Carlos Alvarez of Baguio City were likewise added in the stacked card back by SKP president and Sen. Francis Tolentino and sportsman Mike Humiding.
Other Cordillera-based MMA and kickboxing athletes will also be making their appearance in the event that starts at around 6 p.m.
The kickboxing event will serve as a tune-up competition for the members of SKP national squad in preparation for the SEAG in Vietnam in May 2022 and the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (Aimag) In Thailand in March 2022. – Harley F. Palangchao
