NAGAOWA, KIRYU MAKE WEIGHT IN WSOF-GC3

Former boxing champion Jujeath Nagaowa (2nd from left) and her opponent Yuko Kiryu of Japan after their weigh-in at Novotel Araneta Center. (Photo by LITO DELOS REYES)

By LITO DELOS REYES

MANILA (July 29) – Former Filipina boxer Jujeath “Bad Girl” Nagaowa and Japanese kickboxer Yuko Kiryu both made their weight today at the Novotel for the Female Fight of the Night in the World Series of Fighting-Global Championship on Juy 30 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The 28-year old Nagaowa tipped the scales at 106 lbs. while Kiryu submitted 105 lbs.

“I’m OK and ready to fight now,” said Nagaowa, who has a 2-0 win-loss record as a mixed martial arts fighter.

Nagoawa ,a former Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) International light flyweight champion, arrived with her team from the Highland Boxing Gym of La Trinidad, Benguet.

Kiryu, on the other hand, is toting a 2-2 card and is also ready to face Nagaowa.

“I’ve trained hard for this fight,” said the 30-year old Kiryu of the Brave Gym of Tokyo.

The other three Filipino fighters seeing action also had no problems with their weight.

Co-main event fighter Mario Sismundo (3-1) of Fitbox Fitness tipped at 145 lbs. while his Chinese rival Keremuaili Malmaitituohati (5-3) of Dacheng Wyul only made 140 lbs.

“Gagawin ko ang lahat para sa bayan natin,” said Sismundo.

Neil Larano of FIST Gym and Jennifer Oisim of Tribal Submission Team Torogi also both passed their first attempts at the scale.

Larano (2-0) and his fellow undefeated opponent Ahme “Wolverine” Mujtaba (6-0) of Team Fight Fotress of Pakistan both made identical 143 lbs. They will be fighting for the UGB-MMA featherweight title.

Likewise Oisim (2-0) and her rival Navara Hemily (3-3) of Rio Extreme Fight from Brazil both tipped at 113 lbs.

“Sa tingin ko kaya kong talunin ang kalaban ko,” (I think I can beat my opponent), “ said Oisim.

The other Filipino fighter Jessdan dela Pena of Bulldog’s Gym, however, failed in his first attempt with 162 lbs. against the fight limit of 155 lbs.

Organizer Jason Lilly said that they will have to replace him in case he can’t still make the weight as of press time.

Dela Pena’s opponent Kelvin Ong of Borneo Tribal Squad of Malaysia, however, only had 150 lbs.

Co-promoter Brico Santig, however, is optimistic that Dela Pena can still make the weight before the deadline.

Meanwhile, 6-foot-5 American Richard Odoms (11-2) of the Rodrigo Pinheiro BJJ/Pete Spratt Muay Thai is confident that he can knocked out Russian champion Evgeny Erokhin (14-4) of RusFighters MMA in their battle for the WSOF-GC heavyweight title in the main event.

“I think I can knockout him. But he’s also a good fighter. So it would be a hard one,” said the 41-year old Odoms, who enjoys a five inches advantage.

Odom is also heavier at 262 lbs. while Erokhin is only 230 lbs.

The round 1 of WSOF-GC flyweight championship tournament will feature Marcel Adur (11-4) of CM System-Brazil against Lawrence DiGuilio (17-8-1) of Gilbert Grappling-USA.

The undercard will also have Vadwinder Singh (5-0) of Team Relentless-India vs. Uloomi Karim (5-3) of Team Fight Fortess-Pakistan and former Olympian May Ooi of Brazilian Fight Club-MMA-Singapore (2-1) against former Golden Gloves Open champion Katherine Roy of Pete Spratt Muay Thai-USA.