Team Lakay coach saddened by Sangcha-an’s exclusion from UFC Manila 2

MANILA, Philippines – Roldan Sangcha-an, the only homegrown Filipino fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s roster, is not going to compete at the organization’s second live event in the Philippines on October 15.

Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao confirmed to Rappler that Sangcha-an will not be in action as he failed to get clearance from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in time for UFC Fight Night Manila 2.

Sangiao explained that Sangcha-an had to renew his license with USADA after being on the sidelines for over a year.

“We had to renew his USADA license because he was out for more than a year. We already sent the necessary documents for it, but we won’t able to make it for UFC’s event in Manila on October 15,” he told Rappler.

The world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization partnered with USADA in June 2015 to oversee the UFC anti-doping program, which subjects all of its fighters to a random performance-enhancing drug testing.

Sangiao aired his disappointment regarding Sangcha-an’s exclusion from UFC Fight Night Manila 2 as the 25-year-old Igorot warrior already started preparing for his first bout since May 2015, when he yielded to Guamanian journeyman Jon delos Reyes on the undercard of the promotion’s first venture on Philippine soil.

The longtime Team Lakay mentor said that Sangcha-an was supposed to be paired with Chinese combatant Yao Zhikui before his valued pupil was scratched off from the card.

“It’s sad and disappointing at the same time because Roldan was already preparing for it. But it happens. It’s unavoidable. We just hope that we can get a fight in the near future,” Sangiao said.

According to Sangiao, he received an assurance from UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby that Sangcha-an will have his spot on one of the promotion’s future cards.

“Sean Shelby assured us of a fight. He is still with the UFC. Once we get cleared with USADA, Roldan will be back in action,” he stated.

Sangcha-an (4-2) made his first Octagon appearance in June 2014 when he served as a late replacement for Delos Reyes to square off with Richie Vaculik.

However, Vaculik spoiled Sangcha-an’s UFC debut by dominating the Baguio City-based Wushu practitioner in 3 rounds.

Sangcha-an then lost to Delos Reyes, who knocked his mouthguard free with a hard right hand before transitioning to his back for a rear-naked choke at the 3:13 mark of the second round.

Prior to his two-fight losing skid, Sangcha-an was riding high on a 4-bout winning streak, scoring two knockouts and two submissions in his initial prizefighting run.

Sangcha-an also established himself as a top contender for the then-vacant Pacific Xtreme Combat flyweight strap with an impressive win over Ernesto Montilla Jr. in September 2013 and was slated to vie for the belt in March 2014, but his opponent Rambaa Somdet pulled out of the title tilt after suffering a herniated disc in training.

It turned out to be a blessing for Sangcha-an as he became the third full-blooded Pinoy to be part of the UFC locker room 3 months later. – Rappler.com