UFC adds two more fights to second ‘Fight Night Manila’ card

MANILA, Philippines – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced two more match-ups for its second live event in the Philippines, happening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on October 15. 

James Moontasri faces American compatriot Alex Morono in a 3-round welterweight contest, while Korean middleweight Dongi Yang locks horns with Canadian combatant Ryan Janes. 

Moontasri (9-4) is coming off a unanimous decision defeat to Alex Oliveira this past July and has lost 3 of his last 5 Octagon outings since making his promotional debut in June 2014. 

A tough test awaits Moontasri against Morono, who is riding high on a 6-fight winning streak. 

Morono, a 26-year-old native of Houston, Texas who made a name for himself in Legacy Fighting Championship, successfully made his first UFC appearance by carving out a split decision victory over Kyle Noke last January.

In the other bout, Yang looks to spoil Janes’ first fight in the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. 

Yang (13-3) made a triumphant return to the UFC in November 2015 at the expense of Jake Collier after being released by the Las Vegas-based MMA company in 2012. 

The 31-year-old Korean was first noticed by the UFC in 2010, winning only one of his 4 matches that prompted the promotion to give him the pink slip. 

After demolishing Jae-Young Kim and Dennis Hallman under the Top Fighting Championship banner, the UFC offered a new multi-fight deal to Yang. 

Meanwhile, Janes (8-1) has piled 7-straight wins since his first career setback in March 2010 and is known for his various stints in different MMA organizations such as King of the Cage, WSOF Canada and Battlefield Fight League. 

Janes finished 7 of his previous 9 opponents by way of submission, using his signature rear-naked choke.

UFC Fight Night Manila 2 is headlined by a scheduled 5-round featherweight clash between BJ Penn and Ricardo Lamas. – Rappler.com