PXC 35: A night of pure adrenaline

MANILA, Philippines — Growing steadily in popularity is Guam and Manila-based MMA outfit, Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) which just wrapped up its 35^th iteration over the weekend at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The organization features the best mixed martial arts talent Southeast Asia has to offer, headlined of course by our very own Filipino-born and bred MMA standouts.

As the sport itself creeps its way into the mainstream, so too do the fighters as they leave their lasting impressions in the minds of spectators, highlighted by spectacular knockout finishes and brilliant technical submissions.

 

Night of pure adrenaline

Action was hardly sparse for PXC 35, as only one contest out of a scheduled nine went to a judge’s decision. The rest never heard the final bell, resulting in four finishes by rear naked choke (RNC), two by armlock, and two by Technical Knock Out (TKO).

Fans were treated to a night of pure adrenaline. The way the fights played out, MMA for sure was once again in the spotlight.

The co-main event went wire-to-wire with raw, unadulterated action as 808 Top Team’s Louis Smolka defeated Nor Cal Fighting Alliance’s Alvin Cacdac in the final round of their Featherweight eliminator.

Many spectators feel the fight was the best of the night as the two competitors went at each other non-stop, resulting in a bloody mess. It was mixed martial arts at its finest featuring a solid display of striking and a submissions clinic.

In the second round, Smolka scored with a flash takedown on the much stronger Cacdac. From the ground, Smolka pounded away at his hapless opponent. Much of the same took place in the third, with Smolka taking down Cacdac on two separate occasions.

By then, it was only a matter of time before Smolka would finish off his foe. Though Cacdac displayed great submission defense throughout the course of the fight, Smolka sunk in a deep rear-naked choke that subsequently ended the contest and awarded him the victory.

 

Hitman torches Ice

In the main event, defending Lightweight kingpin Harris “The Hitman” Sarmiento sizzled with confidence and overpowered with dominance when he made quick work of the always dangerous Isaiah “Ice” Ordiz.

Utilizing his advantage in the standup game, Ordiz went right at the champion with an array of kicks, making full use of the height and reach differential.

Sarmiento countered by closing the gap and taking Ordiz to the mat. In a blur, Sarmiento worked in a Kimura, a reverse keylock and primarily used in Judo, and forced his opponent to tap out near the end of the first round.

Sarmiento is definitely a force to be reckoned with, and he showed just that when it mattered, in the sport’s brightest stage.

 

Kadestam continues win streak

Other fighters picking up notable victories include Team Insider’s Glen Ranillo, who kicked things off with an armbar submission victory over Mark Billena.

Miguel Mosquera and flyweight Ernesto Monilla scored back-to-back rear naked chokes against their respective opposition.

Welterweight Zebastian Kadestam of Legacy MMA brutalized his opponent Ron Jhun with powerful leg kicks, improving his record to an unblemished 4-0.

Dario Banario, younger brother of newly crowned OneFC Featherweight Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario, put Team Lakay on the scoreboard with a hard-fought decision over Joseph Mercado.

Also from Team Lakay, bantamweight Troy Bantiag put the beatdown on the much larger Tony Reyes, David-vs-Goliath style in the first round via TKO (strikes).

Pacific Xtreme Combat continues to surge forward with intense mixed martial arts action, featuring the country’s top MMA practitioners and fans continue to gobble it all up.

MMA, most definitely is here to stay. – Rappler.com