TOP FILIPINO MMA FIGHTERS HEADLINE PXC-34!
PXC, the region’s premier professional mixed martial arts promotion, has announced its biggest show to date to take place on November 17th at the famous Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines. Headlining the star-studded international fight card will be some of the best rising stars of MMA from the Philippines versus some of the best up-and-coming fighters from Hawaii, Guam, USA, & Japan. A long-awaited Title Fight between Erwin Tagle and the current PXC Flyweight Champion, Ale Cali, will be the Main Event. PXC-34 will also feature a Featherweight bout with veteran Harris Sarmiento taking on Mark Striegl, one of the top young MMA fighters in the Philippines, as well as a battle of undefeated Flyweights, as the explosive Jerome Wanawan takes on knock-out specialist Eugene Toquero. The event is expected to draw thousands of screaming MMA fans from all corners of the Philippines, and along with being broadcasted live nation-wide on AKTV via IBC13; PXC-34 will stream online for the world to experience as well!
Harris “The Hitman” Sarmiento (34-22), who also holds the PXC Lightweight Belt, is an extremely dangerous fighter at 145 pounds. He has fought at 4 different weight classes over his career against world-class fighters including Nick Diaz, Gilbert Melendes, and Max Holloway from the UFC & Strikeforce. His dominating performances in PXC over the last year put him back on the top of the rankings as one of the toughest pound-for-pound fighters in the region. Sarmiento resides and trains in Honolulu, Hawaii, with 808 Top Team, and is well-known as one of the best MMA fighters from the islands.
Sarmiento’s opponent, Mark “Mugen” Striegl, is a submission specialist who made his PXC debut with an impressive performance in September. Striegl is now 11-0, and trains with Fight Corps MMA in Baguio City. According to Striegl, “I'm very much looking forward to fighting Harris Sarmiento. Harris is a great fighter and this is going to be an explosive match-up. This is why I joined PXC, to fight guys that will drive me to be the best I can be.” After officiating his September bout in PXC-33, legendary MMA referee, Big John McCarthy, was quoted saying, “I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw Mark Striegl fighting in The UFC within a year.” Serious compliment from a serious MMA expert! Will this fight be a launching pad or a lesson for Striegl, or will Sarmiento prove that he deserves all the respect given to him, and perhaps another shot against some of the elite fighters of the world as a Featherweight?
Erwin Tagle is a local MMA star that has been instrumental in developing the sport in the Philippines. As head coach and trainer of Submission Sports Gym in Quezon City, Tagle has the support of his students and fans for this comeback to professional MMA. Since PXC launched in the Philippines, Tagle has been featured as a commentator and MMA expert on AKTV, but after witnessing Ale Cali’s performances defeating all 3 of his opponents on his way to winning the Flyweight Championship, Tagle decided to make his return to professional competition, and PXC match-makers immediately recognized his ability to be one of the top fighters from the Philippines, and gave him his title shot right away. “Erwin has paid his dues, and his reputation precedes him as a showman and excellent fighter. He absolutely deserves this opportunity, and we expect a great show,” said PXC VP/Match-Maker, Eli Monge.
Ale “The Young Gun” Cali has been one of the success stories of MMA in the Philippines. PXC’s Flyweight Champ was born to be a fighter. He started off as a boxer at the age of 10 and successfully won boxing gold medals for his city in Davao; 2002 and 2003 in the Mindanao Friendship Games in Cagayan de Oro City and Mati, Davao Oriental, respectively. He also bagged several medals in the Abap National Youth Open Championships.
Faced with financial instabilities, Cali later on looked to make a bold move to Mixed Martial Arts. In 2008, he began training Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. However, he failed his MMA debut but it never slowed him down as he won his 4 succeeding fights, eventually becoming the PXC’s Undisputed Flyweight Champion.
He was set to face Philippine MMA Legend, Erwin Tagle last September 1 but was sidelined due to injuries. Now, in a couple of weeks, he will get a chance once more to face his toughest opponent to date. “I am nervous yet extremely excited to be in the PXC cage with one of our country’s best fighters, Erwin Tagle,” Cali exclaimed.
The matchup between Wanawan and Toquero posts 2 undefeated Flyweights from 2 of the top gyms in the Philippines against each other. Wanawan represents Team Lakay for his second PXC bout, after putting on a show against Victor Torre in PXC-33, and Toquero, who trains alongside Erwin Tagle at Subsports, has displayed vicious elbow strikes during his first 3 knock-out performances in the PXC.
PXC is presented by San Mig Strong Ice and Sports 5. With special thanks to E-Games, Fitness First, FHM Philippines, FHM.com.ph, Premiere Condoms, Healthway Agility Phil, Beer Below Zero, Real Sports Radio, and Loqal.ph.
For more information on PXC, check out www.pxc.com.ph or www.facebook.com/pxcmma.
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