Jared Almazan of Baguio City has raised the banner for Cordillera mixed martial arts fighters when he stopped Reden Manguiat of Batangas City via rear-naked choke in the inaugural Mayor Jun Bantales MMA Cup in Kabayan, Benguet on weekend.
The 26-year-old Almazan has improved his record to four wins and four losses while Manguiat suffered his first loss in three fights in the event dubbed “Team Lakay Championship Kabayan Fury 1.”
The 33-year-old Nahuel Gandolfi of Argentina won against Jade Semacio of Bulacan via triangle choke in the co-main event to improve his record to 17-4 while his opponent dropped to 5-4.
Jiu jitsu practitioner Chad Mayos of Kapangan, Benguet also stopped Ezekiel Montezon of Metro Manila in his amateur MMA debut via rear-naked choke while Joris Jonker, 29, of The Netherlands executed an arm triangle to win against Artie Lee Cajolo of Negros Occidental.
John Ira Barrientos of La Union dismayed fellow debutant Lecko Gamonnac of Baguio City while rising amateur MMA fighter Roy Menzi kept his unblemished record with a unanimous decision win against Aaron Posawen of Ilocos Sur to improve his record to 8-0.
Conan dela Peña of Mountain Province also won via unanimous decision against Duane Pascua of Pangasinan in his debut fight while Grace Carluen of Laguna won over Catherine Soria of Pasig via technical knockout in the only female bout of the night.
Denver Songaben of Mountain Province improved his record to 1-1 following his rear-naked choke win against Jay-ar Malannag of La Trinidad while Elvester Gaspar of La Union stopped Ralph Cervantes of La Trinidad, also via rear-naked choke.
The event was presented by major sponsors Benguet Rep. Eric Go Yap and Fairtex. – Harley F. Palangchao
