FEARLESS FIGHTING TO THRIVE ON VISIT OF UFC BIG GUNS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 26 Sep 2008
Mixed Martial Arts has been given a major boost with the visit of Ultimate Fighting Championship ? UFC ? Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and two-time UFC champion Chuck ?The Iceman? Liddell to Manila.
In fact the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN?s ?Balls? cable channel which is the Philippine partner of UFC plan to stage the first UFC event in Manila sometime in May next year.
Both were guests on the ANC Channel on ?Korina Today? which was hosted by TJ Manotoc and gave every indication that they would love to be in Manila where the sport has tremendous potential for growth.
In fact over four thousand fans, some of whom had been lining up for three hours, packed the SM Mall of Asia to watch ?Iceman? show off his trademark moves during an open workout.
?Mabuhay [or'Welcome'],? he said to his throng of cheering International fans. ?I was really surprised. It was kinda shocking how many people actually showed up to watch me work out for an hour. It?s crazy. I didn?t expect it to be that big here. I thought it was a new market for us.? After the event fans mobbed the ring in order to get an autograph. Iceman obliged signing T-Shirts, hats and even beer cans.
It is against this increasing interest especially among the young in Mixed Martial Arts Fearless Fighting telecasts the final one-hour show in its ?Intensity 8? series at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26 over IBC 13.
Using the Octagon which is a highpoint of UFC and is being used by Fearless Fighting adds an exciting dimension to the MMA competition.
The main event features an eagerly-awaited rematch between Filipino middleweight champion Adrian Hillana and Iran?s Razi Jabarri held at the spanking new Ynares Sports Center in Pasig.
It was a terrific battle that had the fans on their feet throughout and a fight that set the tone for future events.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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