PH VS. THE WORLD IN WSOF-GLOBAL CHAMPIONSHIP JULY 30

By LITO DELOS REYES

FIVE exciting Filipino mixed martial arts fighters will be seeing action against separate opponents from around the globe in the coming World Series of Fighting – Global Championship (WSOF-GC) on July 30 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

They are Mario Sismundo (3-1), Jujeath “Bad Girl” Nagaowa (2-0), Neil Larano (2-0), Jenelyn Olsim (2-0) and Jessdan dela Peña.

They were formally introduced in today’s press conference held at the Novotel Araneta Center by WSOF-GC Vice President for Operations Jason Lilly.

“I have goosebumps. The fans are the real winners here. This is an opportunity for them to see other international combatants against some of their local heroes,” said Lilly.

Sismundo, who carries a striking resemblance to boxing great Senator-elect Manny Pacquiao, will be facing China’s Keremuaili Maimaitituoheti (5-3) in the co-main event.

Nagaowa, a former WBC Asian Boxing Council female atomweight and WIBA International light flyweight title-holder, will be taking on Malaysia’s Audrelaura Boniface (1-1), who is a doctor in her daily profession.

Olsim, on the other hand, will go up against Brazil’s Nayara Hemily (3-3).

Larano, a rising PXC prospect will be fighting against Pakistan’s Ahmed “Wolverine” Mutaba (6-0) while Dela Peña will take on Malaysia’s Kelvin Ong.

WSOF-GC owner Dunesa Hesser announced that they will be raffling P1 million pesos to the lucky ticket buyer on the fight night.

“Someone other than the winning fighters is going to be walking away with a big smile that night,” said Hesser.

Also featured in the WSOF-GC3 Philippines is the WSOF-GC heavyweight title-fight between reigning champion Evgeny Erokhin (14-4) and no. 1 contender Richard Odoms (11-2).

Two other bouts – a 4-man flyweight tournament – will pit Yusaku Nakamura (12-4) vs. Tim Moor (10-5) and Laurence DiGuilio (17-8-1) vs. Marcel Adur (11-4).

The winners will fight for the title on a future WSOF-GC event.

Tickets start a PHP300 with ringside seats available for PHP400. Tickets are now on sale at the http://ticketnet.com/WSOF-GC#-Philippines-Smart-Araneta-Coliseum/EventDetails/431. Smart Araneta Coliseum has been host to many great events over the years, but is most notably known for Ali vs. Frazier III “The Thrilla in Manila”.

WSOF-GC vice-president for operations Jason Lilly (middle) with Filipina MMA fighters Jujeath Nagoawa (left) and Jenelyn Olsim. (Photo by LITO DELOS REYES)

WSOF-GC vice-president for operations Jason Lilly (middle) is flanked by Filipina MMA fighters Jujeath “Bad Girl” Nagaowa (left) and Jenelyn Olsim after the press conference yesterday at the Novotel Araneta Center. (Photo by LITO DELOS REYES)