Jenel Lausa ends boxing career to focus on UFC

MANILA, Philippines – Jenel Lausa had to hang up his 8-ounce boxing gloves after inking a multi-fight exclusive deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Aside from being a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, Lausa also strutted his wares in a boxing ring to keep himself active while waiting for a bout in Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC). (READ: UFC-bound Jenel Lausa credits MMA success to 3-year PXC stint)

The 28-year-old native of Concepcion, Iloilo, owns an immaculate boxing record of 7-0 with 4 victories by way of knockout. 

To enter the boxing rankings of the Philippine Games and Amusements Board, Lausa captured the ornamental Philippine Boxing Federation super bantamweight title at the expense of Jon Jon Estrada in July. 

According to Lausa, his newly-signed UFC contract bars him from competing in other forms of combat sports, including boxing. 

Lausa signed a lucrative UFC agreement on Wednesday, September 8, that will guarantee him 4 fights under the promotion’s banner for 20 months. 

“UFC strictly requires their fighters to focus on MMA and not on other sports. Because of that, I have to give up my boxing career,” Lausa told Rappler. “It’s fine with me because I believe there are better opportunities ahead of me.” 

Meanwhile, Lausa had to relinquish his possession of the PXC flyweight championship as part of his exclusivity to the world’s premier MMA organization.

Lausa bagged the vacant PXC flyweight belt by edging out Team Lakay’s Crisanto Pitpitunge via split decision in January and became the fourth full-blooded Pinoy to win a world title in the sport of MMA.

In the wake of joining the UFC, Lausa does not mind the changes that he is currently going through in his prizefighting career. 

“It’s all part of the entire process. They have their own rules, and I have to follow. But I am happy to be part of the UFC. I am putting all of my focus on my UFC career. Better things are coming for me,” he said. 

Lausa is set to make his UFC debut against Chinese combatant Yao Zhikui in a 3-round flyweight bout on the undercard of UFC Fight Night Manila 2, which takes place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on October 15. – Rappler.com