Garde stops Baliente in 1st round in “Resbak”

By Lito delos Reyes

Rodel “The Guardian” Garde of Davao City came up with a different mode yesterday as he put Jojet “Little Bibiano” Baliete of Tagum in just one round of the professional mixed martial arts dubbed as “Resbak” series at the ARF Gym in New Pandan, Panabo City.

The 32-year-old Garde raced across the Octagon at the start. He was able to go on top of Baliente, who was trying to stand up but Garde was too heavy.

Garde was also able to strike back on top three times as Baliente tried to get out from the grappler. After a few minutes of action, the referee had to stop the fight and check Baliente.

Baliente sustained a cut on his left eye after trying to stop Garde from putting him down. Garde jumped for joy after declaring him the winner by a referee-stopped-contest due to injury.

“Thank you so much to all those who helped in my fight and in my training. To all those who sponsored me,” said Garde, who earned his first win as a professional MMA.

Garde, who represented Strive Gym, earlier had seven wins and five loses as an amateur player. The 5-foot-4 Garde is also a professional referee in boxing under the Games and Amusements Board. Baliente, 34, of JJA MMA vowed to be back soon.

Meanwhile, flyweight Jay “El Calibre” Verdadero of Tagum and welterweight Jigger “The Axeman” Dagohoy of Davao City also both scored first round victories.

After throwing several kicks, Verdadero of Observe MMA Fight Club put up a takedown to set up a quick Guillotine choke on Nars “Poison” Tancontion of RSK Aguila MMA Samal Island in one minute and 30 seconds.

Verdadero, 24, climbed up the Octagon to celebrate his victory.

The 20-year-old Dagohoy, on the other hand, of Flash Val Fighting System had a submission to punish David “Saitama” Morata, 29, of Tough Team-Panabo with unanswered left-and-right punches to stop at 1:07.

The second of the ‘Resbak’ series event will be in April at Davao City. It is presented by RedPalm Events and Promotions and sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board.

This is in celebration of the Araw ng Panabo. It is sponsored by City Star Shopping Center Inc., Innovaplas Packaging Corporation, Colmax, G-key Trading, Sanman, Beefit Gym and RedPalm Events and Promotions.

photo: Rodel Garde (extreme left) raising his hands after winning against Jojet Baliente. (Photo by JIMMY JAVIER)