Glen Ranillo pulls out of PXC 53; 3 Pinoys miss weight

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino fighter Glen Ranillo was forced to withdraw from his 3-round featherweight bout against Australian stalwart Aydin Mrouki on the undercard of PXC 53 on Friday, April 8.

Ranillo told Rappler that he opted to pull out from the match-up versus Mrouki due to viral infection, which he contracted 3 days prior to the official weigh-in on Thursday, April 7.

“I had sinusitis and contracted a flu 3 days before the weigh-in. I had two kilos to lose before the weigh-in, but I had a hard time cutting weight. Thank God, I am fine right now,” he said.

As a result of the unfortunate incident, newcomer Jaypee Espinosa stepped in for Ranillo to face Mrouki at PXC 53, which takes place at Solaire Resort and Casino’s Grand Ballroom in Parañaque City.

The stage is set for Pacific Xtreme Combat’s second Philippine fight card in 2016 as Zebastian Kadestam and Glenn Sparv easily made weight for the welterweight championship clash in the main event.

Both Kadestam and Sparv were one pound below the division’s 170-pound limit to receive the green light for their scheduled 5-round showdown.

Rolando Gabriel was also cleared to compete at PXC 53 as he tipped the scales at 145 pounds, while his opponent Koyomi Matsushimi weighed 144 pounds.

Also featured at PXC 53 is up-and-coming talent Jon Chris Corton (125 lbs), who squares off with Hawaiian flyweight Riley Dutro (125 lbs).

However, 3 Filipino fighters had difficulties in meeting the allowable weight limit of their respective divisions during the official weigh-in.

Filipino-Kiwi prospect Mark Abelardo was two pounds heavier than South Korea’s Han Bin Park, who effortlessly came in at 145 pounds.

Meanwhile, Ernie Braca checked in at 140 pounds for his 3-round bantamweight tussle with Stephen Loman, who was one pound below the 135-pound border.

Adam Cacay was two pounds above the 125-pound flyweight perimeter as he is slated to lock horns with Anton Larsson.

Rappler tried to reach PXC if the 3 aforementioned Pinoy combatants will still be allowed to compete on a catchweight basis, but any official of the Guam-based mixed martial arts promotion has not responded as of writing. – Rappler.com