Yaw-Yan ArDigma fighters and organizers headed by Master Ekin Caniga Jr. (sixth from left) gather after a press conference at the Cul de Sac restaurant.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON
GETTING the needed support, everything is looking good for the upcoming “Cebu Extreme Fight League (CEFL) 2: No Way Out” mixed martial arts fight card slated Feb. 18 at the Cebu Coliseum.
The event spearheaded by Master Benigno “Ekin” Caniga Jr. of Yaw-Yan ArDigma Martial Arts Federation Inc. recently got the support it needed from boxing patron Joeric Calisang of the Joeric Boxing Team.
Both were present in a press conference Wednesday night at the Cul de Sac restaurant in Santo Niño Village, Cebu City. Joining them and also showing support was renowned Doce Pares Eskrima Supreme Grand Master (SGM) Dionisio “Diony” Cañete.
Calisang, a known local boxing promoter, said he wants to help revive MMA in Cebu.
“When I was a kid, me and my father used to watch UFC and not just boxing. But it’s sad to see that [there isn’t enough] support given to our very own fighters and promoters. So I decided to step up and make a move. I decided to support CEFL financially and I am very optimistic that this MMA event will come out as a success,” Calisang said.
Calisang’s move was a huge help for Caniga, who said he used money from his own pocket to promote MMA fight cards in the past seven years because there were no sponsors who wanted to support the sport.
Cebuano MMA fighters will see action against visiting opponents in the fight card.
Veteran Yaw-Yan ArDigma featherweight fighter Roel “Akiyama” Rosauro will fight in the main event against Urtych “Tank” Allarin of XFC MMA of Butuan City.
Nino Rio “Pitbull” Saoy of Mactan Combat Sports and Arnel “Project X” Ylanan of DEFTAC Vagabond Cebu will also be seeing action against Ivan Victorio of Yaw-Yan Olongapo MMA.
There will be a total of 12 MMA bouts in different weight classes.
Tickets are available at the Yaw-Yan ArDigma headquarters located at the fourth level of the Coast Pacific Building along Sanciangko Street in Cebu City.