ONE FC Officially Releases Full Fight card for ONE FC: Pride of a Nation Aug 31 Araneta QC

 

Photo courtesy of OneFC Championship Face book page

MMA fans are getting excited to see and support the Philippines’ very own URCC Champion Eduard Folayang in action as Asia’s largest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organization ONE Fighting Championship™ (ONE FC) has officially confirmed its much anticipated fight card for ONE FC: PRIDE OF A NATION which will take place on 31 August at the historic SMART ARANETA Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines.

ONE FC, in partnership with Universal Reality Combat Championship™ (URCC), has put up an impressive line-up of matches. The card features DREAM Champions Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki and Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes. Aoki is the most deadly submission grappler in MMA and Fernandes is ranked amongst the best bantamweight fighters in the world. Both are well-known as astounding athletes with a huge fan base amongst Asian and international fans alike. Aoki’s opponent is due to be announced shortly while Fernandes will take on Cage Fighting Championship (CFC) Australia Bantamweight Champion Gustavo Falciroli.

In addition, two former UFC Heavyweight Champions will meet for the fourth time in a grudge match that has escalated over the years. Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia will clash in Manila after a series of fights that saw Sylvia lose the first bout, and subsequently win back-to-back fights against the tough Belarusian. Sylvia is currently in the midst of a three-fight winning streak and has won seven of his last eight bouts.

If you have been a fan of MMA, specially during its early years when the octagon was having matches featuring warriors representing different martial art forms. It was the Gracie family that proved most consistent in the ring. For the first time, the legendary Gracie family will be represented thrice in one fight card. Rolles Gracie takes on Tony Bonello, Igor Gracie will battle Korea’s Jung Hwan Cha and Gregor Gracie will look to get back to his winning ways when he goes toe-to-toe with Nicholas Mann. In Manila, the three members of the “Royal Family of MMA” will be fighting to honor the legacy of the Gracie family name.

The full fight card can be viewed and downloaded at http://www.ONEFC.com.

MMA fans from around the world can witness the action of ONE FC: PRIDE OF A NATION online via live streaming at http://www.onefc.livesport.tv. The undercard fights are available for viewing free-of-charge. The main card fights will be available for purchase on Pay-Per-View at just US$9.99.

Tickets for ONE FC: PRIDE OF A NATION are on sale now through TicketNet at http://www.ticketnet.com.ph or at all TicketNet outlets located at the SM department store customer service area and at the SMART ARANETA Coliseum ticket booth. For inquiries and reservations, please call +63 911 5555. Tickets are priced at Php 4,770 for VIP experience seating that includes exclusive Red Carpet entrance as well as access to the VIP lounge, followed by Php 2,120, Php 1,060, Php 690, Php 530 and Php 215 respectively. All applicable service charges apply.

For more updates, log on to http://www.ONEFC.com

About ONE Fighting Championship™

Headquartered in Singapore, ONE Fighting Championship™ (http://www.onefc.com) is Asia’s largest mixed martial arts organization. ONE FightingChampionship™ hosts the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Fighting Championship™ has partnered with ESPN STAR Sports, the number one leader in sports content, for an unprecedented 10-year cable television deal with a coverage that spans across 28 countries in Asia.

Pinoy Warriors Ready for War in Legend Fighting Championship 10 (Hong Kong)

Manila, Philippines (August 20, 2012) –  As asia embraces the fastest rising spectator sport, MMA, Wushu specialist Ruel Catalan and grappler Rolando Gabriel Dy of Team Full Contact International (FCI) Philippines are ready to make their debut along with returning Muaythai fighter Leonard Delarmino at the  Legend Fighting Championship 10 on August 24, 2012 at the AsiaWorld Expo in Hong Kong.

Catalan will be facing Chinese Sanda champion Ji Xian in 135 lbs. match while Delarmino and Dy will compete in the 145 lbs. against deadly striker Choi Yeong Gwang from South Korea  and BJJ specialist Ev Ting of New Zealand, respectively.

Fighting is in our blood and I personally believe we as a race are gifted with speed, dexterity, strategy, strength and destructive grace that can level an opponent. Let’s hope we get to bag the competition.

Brother Warriors

The younger brother of 4X World Wushu Champion Rene Catalan, Ruelhas won various national Muaythai and Wushu tournaments highlighted by the 2008 World Wushu (Sanshou) Championship where he won the Bronze Medal. With his older brother as his striking coach, he’s been offered to sign up with two established MMA promotions but held out for Legend. “I believe in destiny. I believe I was born to become a Legend champion someday.”

On the other hand, The son of  former WBC Junior Lightweight champion Rolando “The Bad Boy of Dadiangas” Navarette, Gabriel lived a troubled life as a youth and was going the path of his infamous father after he retired from boxing with underground fights and bar brawls as his way of self-expression.  “Then I found Jesus and Martial-Arts.” Not wanting to be associated with his infamous dad, he chose to carry the name of his mother who left his dad and is now based in Spain. With his trademark heavy hands, he trains tirelessly in the gym to improve his ground game.

Leonard was a standout track and field and Tae Kwon Do athlete for his high school before discovering Boxing, ultimately winning the National Amateur Boxing Championship in 2008. He then transitioned to Wushu and Muay Thai before discovering the ultimate form of competitive combat sports: MMA. Although his first two fights in Legend against two very tough Chinese opponents ended up in losses, he gained the support of Legend fans with his never-say-die attitude and ferocious attacking style. His brother Agustin Delarmino, Jr. registered the second fastest KO in Legend history during (42 sec. vs. Taipeh’s Sung Ming Yen) and won KO of the Night bonus for his third round stoppage of Kaiwhare Kara-France of New Zealand in Legend 8. Agustin is set to fight again in Legend 11 on October 6.

 

Formidable Opponents

In spite of his Sanda background and outstanding stand-up skills, Ji Xian has developed a reputation as one of China’s best grapplers. Making the transition from pure Sanda to MMA in 2009, he soon found a home in elite Chinese MMA promotion Art of War, going undefeated in his first year with them. Since then, he has cut an impressive path through some of the most dangerous Featherweight and Bantamweight MMA fighters in China, winning most of his fights by submission, and even taking a gold medal at the 2011 ADCC Asia Trials.

Choibegan training in MMA when he was still a teenager. He saw his first MMA bout on TV and said that he simply “felt something in his heart” which drove him to sign up at a nearby gym immediately. After dominating his opponents at various inter-club tournaments, he was recruited into Spirit MC’s amateur league, where he compiled a perfect 5-0 record. His second fight against Korean juggernaut Nam Yui Chul is still

considered one of the greatest fights in Korean MMA and was critical in putting the MMA on the map for Korean sports fans.

Ev Ting is a perfect representative of Legend’s unique brand of Asia-Pacific MMA. Originally born in Malaysia, Ting is of Malaysian Chinese ancestry and speaks Mandarin as his first language. When he was seven-years old, his family relocated to New Zealand, where he has been living ever since. And it was on the opposite side of the Asia-Pacific that Ting discovered MMA. Although he had always been interested in combat sports, it was an MMA highlight reel on the internet that first sparked his interest in training, and he quickly found a home at Auckland MMA in 2009. Ting turned pro in 2011 and now seeks to proudly represent his Malay roots, his New Zealand home, and his family, team, and himself in the Legend Ring (legendfc.com.)

 

Legend

The Legend FC, the premium MMA fight promotions company based in HK, founded by Michael Haskamp and Chris Pollak, is an MMA contest sanctioned by the South China MMA Association and is conducted under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial arts. As in previous editions, the fight card in August 24 will consist of 10 bouts featuring 20 Asia-Pacific MMA athletes. What is unique about Legend is that only native fighters from Asia Pacific are allowed to compete.

FCI supports Legend because it treats our fighters well. Legend also provides a great platform for Filipino MMA fighters to be discovered as its fight is watched by over half a billion people in China and over 300 million viewers around the world. The first five matches are streamed live in YouTube while the next five fights are available in PPV.

 Full Contact International

“We are committed in providing the best holistic training possible for the best Filipino warriors not only to make them the best fighters and entertainers but also as great human beings. They are the new breed of sports heroes who can be positive role models for the youth.” said Ed Dames, Managing Director of Full Contact International.

The FCI Team is supported by DTC Promos, Insider Gym, FTX, Taichi, Submission Sports Philippines, Intercare, Empire Gym, Fitness Gym in Palanan, Makati  and Team USA will depart Manila on Tuesday, August 21 and will return on Saturday, August 25. With your support and prayers,  we hope to bring back something for our people to smile about.

For additional details about FCI and its services, contact:  Ed Dames, Managing Director Mobile No: 0920-9543599 e-Mail: edames.fci@gmail.com

Aikido Seminar by Shihan Hitohiro Saito Aug 4&5

Traditional Aikido Philippines invites aikidokas (aikido practitioners) to a seminar by Saito Hitohiro Shihan founder of  Iwama Shinshin Aikishurenkai Kaicho

Aikido was founded by Morihei Ueshiba. One of his direct students was Morihiro Saito. Shihan Hitohiro Saito is Morihiro Saito’s son.

He will be conducting a seminar in Manila on August 4 & 5

Venue: PAJA 3rd Flr wrestling gym, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Adriatico St. Malate Manila

Seminar Schedule

4 session: 9am -12pm (2 sessions with 15min break on every session)

2pm – 5pm (2 sessions with 15 min break on every session)

Fee is P1,500 for 2 days

P 900 for 1 day only

For foreign guests: USD 225 includes 2 night stay twin sharing

For inquiries on this event please contact via email traditionalaikido@yahoo.com

If you are an aikidoka and you wish to attend, if there is something you should bring is the expected humility, “empty cup” , an open mind and a happy attitude and disposition. I guess there is no expected signing of your Aikika yudansha cards here, but the wealth of knowledge that Shihan Saito will impart will surely be priceless. Being able to train and be with Morihiro Saito’s son is an honor itself.

If you have been practicing aikido for sometime, Morihiro Saito was one of Morihei Ueshiba’s direct students and uchi deshi. The earlier black and white films we used to see in betamax in vhs videos are of Morihiro Saito. Each of Morihei Ueshiba’s uchi deshi or direct students has developed each and their own style. Saito style is evidently rooted in traditional movement utilizing the sword  (bladed hand) in execution.

So aside from your gi, and hakama please bring your bokken and jo’s as well.  Bring hydration and toiletries for changing.

More on Saito Hitohiro Shihan

I happen to see him on a youtube video at a seminar. See attached link. His movements and executions are clean and simple yet incredibly fast and powerful. His posture, form and footwork is really something to look up to..

This is a youtube video of Morihiro Saito Sensei. His movements are so simple and direct. I just love watching his sword work as well.

(sourced from Wikipedia)

Hitohiro Saito (斎藤 仁弘 Saitō Hitohiro, born 12 February 1957 in Iwama) is an aikido instructor and founding headmaster of Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai.^[1] Hitohiro is the son of Morihiro Saito. At age of seven,^[2] he started to learn aikido from Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido, who cared for him as a grandson. After Ueshiba died in 1969, he continued his practice with his father. The younger Saito became official instructor of the Iwama dojo in 1986 and remained so until 2004 when he separated from the Aikikai organization and formed his own group. Since 2009 he is also identified as Hitohira (仁平) Saito.^[3]

Hitohiro Saito is the founder and leader (Kaicho) of a traditional Iwama styleaikido organization. It is named Iwama Shin-Shin Aiki Shuren-kai (岩間神信合氣修練会, lit. Iwama spiritual aiki drill association). It has dojo in about 20 countries.^[4]

With the passing of Morihiro Saito (13 May 2002), Hitohiro Saito initially continued to govern the Founder’s dojo and the Temple of Aikido, Aikijinja. He had also prepared to surrender these roles to the Aikikai, which own those properties.^[5] However, the doshu also asked for the Iwama Ryu grading certificates to cease, and in return Hitohiro asked for the Aikikai to announce in publication that the founder’s original style is preserved at Iwama.^[5] The latter did not occur, and Hitohiro also came under pressures within the Iwama group.^[5] In November 2003, Hitohiro separated from the Aikikai.^[5] By February 2004 he had formed his own organisation (ISSASK).

While a number of Morihiro Saito’s students preferred to remain affiliated with the Aikikai, others decided to follow Hitohiro Saito upon his break from the organization. Today he teaches full time at his own Tanrenkan and travels constantly inside Japan and around the world, instructing at seminars attended by hundreds of aikido students.

(OneFC) One Fighting Championship to Rock Philippine MMA

One Fighting Championship or OneFC will totally Rock the Philippine Mixed Martial Arts scene and get sports fans excited as they bring world class MMA tournament here on August 31, 2012 at SMART ARANETA COLISEUM in Quezon City, Philippines.

MMA stands for Mixed Martial Art and is currently the fastest growing sport in the world. It combines the world’s most effective martial arts: Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Wrestling and to the known few Filipino Martial Arts or FMA. As OneFC brings its tournaments to our shore it brings the MMA promise of excitement of a prize fight, adrenaline and theatrics of a rock concert, athleticism and technical knowledge of athletes, honor and tradition of excellence of martial arts.

CEO of ONE Fighting Championship™ Victor Cui stated, “We have put together the greatest card in ONE FC history for our Manila event. When you put Shinya Aoki and Bibiano Fernandes on the same card, one can expect nothing less than an epic night of world‐class MMA action like Manila has never seen before. Manila is the fight capital of Asia and I want to bring the best fighters in Asia to the awesome fight‐fans of this great city. We are beyond excited to hold this incredible card in such a passionate and pride driven city.”

Do check out OneFC at http://www.onefc.com

Tickets for ONE FC: Pride of a Nation are on sale now through TicketNet at http://www.ticketnet.com.ph or at all TicketNet outlets located at the SM department store customer service area and at the SMART Araneta Coliseum ticket booth. For inquiries and reservations, please call +63 911 5555.

Tickets are priced at Php 4,500 for VIP experience seating that includes exclusive Red Carpet entrance as well as access to the VIP lounge, followed by Php 2,000, Php 1,000, Php 650, Php 500 and Php 200 respectively.

But I think its all going to be work it as world class MMA fighting hits our shores which would be something like this..

MMA fans can look forward to watching the pride of Asian MMA, Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki, make his highly‐anticipated ONE FC debut in Manila. Shinya Aoki (30‐6‐1) is the DREAM Lightweight Champion and has beaten the likes of Tatsuya Kawajiri, Marcus Aurelio and Rich Clementi. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu‐Jitsu and Judo which has earned him a reputation as one of the top submission specialists in  the sport of MMA.

Currently fighting out of Evolve MMA, the “Grandmaster of Flying Submissions” is looking forward to showcasing his skills to the Filipino fans when he debuts at ONE FC: Pride of a Nation.  Eduard “The Landslide” Folayang (11‐2) is back in action at ONE FC: Pride of a Nation. The hero of the Philippines will represent his country once again on an international stage when he enters the ONE FC cage. Folayang is excited to prove why he is still one of the top fighters in the Lightweight division today.

I was privileged to have been able to interview URCC founder and Philippine MMA legend Alvin Aguilar as I asked him regarding Filipino MMA fighters, his current MMA training and system and tips on those who wants to get into MMA. Watch the video clip on youtube here

Those that came in the presscon were:

Shinya Aoki – Tokyo, Japan (30-6-1)

· Shinya #1 pound for pound king of Asian MMA
· Considered one of the best grapplers in the world
· DREAM Lightweight Champion
· Former Shooto Welterweight Champion
· Top 12 MMA Lightweight Worldwide (SB Nation)
Bibiano Fernandes – Manaus, Brazil (11-3)
· First DREAM Featherweight Champion
· Current DREAM Bantanweight Champion
· 2006 World Jiu-Jitsu Championship Gold Medalist
· Top 10 Bantamweight Worldwide (SB Nation)
Eduard Folayang – Baguio City, Philippines (11-2)
· Will defend his nation in Manila
· URCC Welterweight Champion
· 2011 Southeast Asian Games Gold Medal
· #1 Pound for Pound Fighter in Philippines
Andrei Arlovski – Babruysk, Belarus (17-9)
· Former UFC Heavyweight Champion
· Former M-1 MFC European Heavyweight Champion
· Holds notable wins over Tim Sylvia, Ben Rothwell and Fabricio Werdum

•  

Three other great fights are already lined up for this historic night of MMA action. The main event will pit the ever impressive DREAM Bantamweight Champion Bibiano Fernandes against CFC Australia Champion Gustavo Falciroli. Fernandes has an 11‐3 record with most of his fights finishing via TKO or submission and is ranked as one of the top five fighters globally in the Bantamweight division. Despite being feared for his explosive submission grappling, his last victory in DREAM against former WEC Bantamweight Champion Antonio Banuelos, ended by TKO in just 1:21 seconds of round one, proving to everyone that he was equally adept at ending fights with his fists. He is looking to make a memorable ONE FC debut when he squares off against the aggressive striker and submission wizard from Australia, Gustavo Falciroli (12‐3).

Falciroli is the current CFC Australia Bantamweight Champion. He earned his black belt in Brazilian Jiu‐ Jitsu in 2003 and is currently on a two‐fight win streak. His last ONE FC fight captivated fans across the MMA community with his impressive rear naked choke submission victory over Soo Chul Kim in just 1:12 seconds of round one. Falciroli will be facing the biggest test of his fight career when he steps up in class against top pound for pound Bantamweight king Fernandes.
In addition to the main event, MMA fans will also have the opportunity to see the ONE FC debut of Andrei “The Pit Bull” Arlovski and Jens “Lil Evil” Pulver. Arlovski will square off against Soa Palelei and Pulver takes on the pride of the Philippines Eric “The Natural” Kelly.
Fans can look forward to some serious action in the ONE FC heavyweight division when “The Pit Bull” arrives for the big show on 31 August. Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Arlovski (17‐9) will step into the ONE FC cage for the first time with the determination and striking ability to get him back on top of the division he once ruled. Arlovski has gone toe‐to‐toe against some of the top heavyweight fighters in the world including the likes of Tim Sylvia, Fabrico Werdum and Fedor Emelianenko. Expect Arlovski to
bring hard hitting action when he looks to continue his winning streak against Soa Palelei.
Two of the most skilled strikers in the ONE FC Featherweight division will battle it out in what is guaranteed to be a fast paced slug fest. Former UFC Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver will battle the pride of the Philippines Eric Kelly. In his first appearance in the ONE FC cage, Pulver will look to impress Asian MMA fans with a decisive victory over the rising star Kelly. Coming off an impressive unanimous decision victory over Bae Young Kwon at ONE FC: Destiny of Warriors, Kelly will do everything in his power to maintain his unbeaten fight record and turn Pulver’s dream debut into a nightmare. Pulver is Kelly’s toughest test so far but Kelly will have the advantage of home crowd support at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

More photos on the press conference:

Andrei Arlovski is HUGE… with him is idol sports host Anthony Suntay. We all know how tall Anthony is.. check out Arlovski’s fist! whoa!

Running Photographer Aquiz Minlay with a better view.

Philippine MMA legend Alvin Aguilar (Left) with Running Blogger Jarred aka Supladong Irish Runner (Right)

I guess most didnt notice a rockstar in their midst. Philippine Electronica Artist Madz Abubakar provided the sonic symphony in the event. I hope he provides the music and spinning  too on Aug 31. And I pray I get to have a role there of some sort.

Check out Madz with his APC and Ableton in a work setting (note the longsleeves hehehe)

 

Philippine Electronica Artist Madz Abubakar providing the sonic symphonies during the event. No one noticed this rockstar? probably its the long sleeves. Prod work duties calls. Check out his APC and ableton live setup

Oh ..and thanks to John Remir Cueto of http://larawanatkape.wordpress.com for this fighters photo (word is that we dont see him fighting soon after being called in by the baranggay, for selfdefense purposes..but thats another story to tell)

Pekiti Tirsia Kali Hangkilan

The Pekiti Tirsia Kali strategy is based on mobility, counterattacking and triangular movement and clearly comes from the era when when it was common for Filipino men to carry swords and knives based on what they used predominantly in farming.

Pekiti Tirsia Kali is a Filipino close quarter fighting system that focuses on edged weapons. It encompasses a wide range of traditional weapons and tactics, namely:

• Single stick (single sword)*
• Double sticks (two swords)*
• Single knife
• Double knives
• Espada y Daga (long blade and knife)
• Sibat (spear)
• Empty-handed techniques and grappling (dumpag and dumog)

* Sticks are used in training in place of swords

The system originates from the provinces of Panay and Negros Occidental and was created by the Tortal clan. The family patriarch and Grandmaster of Pekiti Tirsia, Grand Tuhon Conrado B. Tortal, passed the system to his only grandson Grand Tuhon Leo Tortal Gaje, Jr.

Grand Tuhon Conrado B. Tortal, like the other family leaders before him, further developed the system through the testing and the research of technique and strategy. Practicing within the family, duels with other systems and actual combat continuously honed and validated Pekiti Tirsia as an effectives and deadly fighting system. The current headmaster of the system, Grand Tuhon Leo Tortal, inherited the system from his grandfather Conrado Tortal. Grand Tuhon Gaje began to study the system at the age of six and eventually learn it in its entirety.

Grand Tuhon Leo Gaje inherited the system at the passing of his grandfather. As with family tradition, he practiced and kept the system within their clan. When Grand Tuhon Gaje immigrated to the US in 1972, he realized the potential of sharing the family system to others and began teaching the system to a select number of martial artists.

Grand Tuhon Gaje is widely recognized as one of the top edged weapons instructors in the world, and served as a technical advisor for theSurviving Edged Weapons law enforcement training video.

(Sourced from Buddy Acenas, founder of Pekiti Tirsia Manila at ptkmanila.com)

Pekiti Tirsia Kali – Hangkilan is the training group led by instructor, Mataas na Guro Patch Caballero. With the blessing and guidance of Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje jr., supreme grandmaster of the Pekiti Tirsia Kali System and Tuhon Rommel Tortal, founder and chairman of Pekiti Tirsia Kali Asia Pacific Confederation. Dedicated in propagating the Filipino fighting system here in the Philippines to fellow Filipinos and to other nations abroad. “Hangkilan” which means “Ferocious Warrior” in hiligaynon is the name given to the group by Tuhon Nonoy Garrucho in 2011.

 

Mandala Maginoo Nonoy Garrucho(L) with Mataas na Guro Patch Caballero also Pekiti Tirsia Hangkilan Instructor (R)

Me (L) with Mandala Maginoo Nonoy Garrucho (R)

Below is a clip of one of our sparring sessions back in Pekiti Tirsia Manila. The exercise was between me and fellow practitioner Zaldy,  I realized I had to improve my leg work more and apparently my cardio. Sparring exercise are intense with sudden bursts of speed and strength from both practitioners making it really tiring.

http://youtu.be/-7_R2kOD_eU

I miss getting back to training, looking forward to train with my buddies in PTK Manila and PTK Hangkilan soon.

Pekiti Tirsia Hangkilan Training schedules are Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00pm – 10:00pm at the covered court area of Brgy. UP village, Diliman, Quezon City. Saturdays (optional) from 3:00pm – 5:00pm.

For more information:
Mobile number: +63.922.581.2525
Email: ptkhangkilan@gmail.com