CEBU-based French Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter Paul Carrere is seeking revenge this Sunday when he battles Cebuano Raymund Libradilla in the co-main event of “Kumbati sa Sogod Leyte” at the Sogod Multi Porpose gym.
Carrere who’s MMA debut resulted in a stinging loss to Cebu’s Lando Nacua Jr. last August, is hoping for an emphatic win.
Carrere of the Unified MMA of Mandaue City and Libradilla of Tatus Muay Thai MMA had their official weigh-in at the Yaw-Yan ArDigma Gym. They both weighed 134lbs.
“I was very disappointed because my debut came out with a loss. It was a very close fight but I gave up my back that’s why Nacua was able to set up a rear naked choke,” said Carrere.
Libradilla of Tatus Muay Thai MMA is also seeking an impressive win to show that he is ready to be a professional MMA fighter.
The card’s main event features Universal Reality Combat Championship veteran MJ ‘Bolo Punch’ Abrillo of Yaw-Yan Kampilan and Iloilo’s Julius ‘Smasher’ Gonzaga.
Abrillo and Gonzaga are already in Sogod, Leyte said Yaw-Yan ArDigma Cebu chief Master Benigno Caniga Jr. who also serves as the card’s matchmaker.
The ‘Kumbati sa Sogod’ is also a qualifying tournament for the highly-anticipated Ground and Pound event this year at the Cebu Coliseum. It will feature five MMA bouts and six kick-boxing duels.
Meanwhile, card promoter Police Superintendent Rodolfo Albotra Jr, is hoping that the tournament will be the start of something big in Southern Leyte.
“Aside from entertainment, I hope that many will be inspired especially the teenagers from our place to be involved in martial arts. Expect a receptive crowd during the event,” he said.
Two Yaw-Yan ArDigma Cebu warriors will also see action in the card including URCC fighter Ruel ‘Akiyama’ Rosauro who will make his ring comeback after two years of inactivity against Redner ‘Beatdown’ Mendoza of the Durex Dragon
Kickboxing Club and Batang Pinoy National Finals gold-medalist Ken ‘Shaolin’ Caniga who will face Benedict ‘Little Warrior’ Torbiso of Durex KBC.