MANILA, Philippines – The participants for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s maiden fight card in the Philippines on May 16 have begun arriving in the country.
Mark Muñoz, who is facing English middleweight Luke Barnatt in his farewell fight at UFC Fight Night 66, arrived in the country on Saturday, May 9.
We're here!! #Philippines #motherland #UFCManila @AskUltra @hangwith A photo posted by Mark Munoz (@mark_munoz) on May 9, 2015 at 2:27pm PDT
Muñoz also posted a glimpse of his gear that he will use on fight night, which is adorned with shades of the Philippine flag.
It's fight week! Who is ready for #UFCManila? Stay tuned on ways to win my Ultra Mobile jersey. Like for chance to win. #MyUltraLife A photo posted by Mark Munoz (@mark_munoz) on May 11, 2015 at 2:51am PDT
Meanwhile, Muñoz’s opponent set foot on Philippine soil three days earlier than the Filipino-American wrestler and appeared to enjoy his initial stay in the archipelago as he roamed around the metro.
After 23 hours of travelling! Finally made it. Just wish my long 6ft 6 frame could sleep on planes! #UFCManila A video posted by Luke Barnatt (@lukebarnatt) on May 5, 2015 at 6:45pm PDT
Taking it all in! By @lucyelizabethspmu "Me and @lukebarnatt getting to know some Filipino culture at the Ayala Museum! Now time to refuel on some Filipino food... #Philippines #Museum #Culture #Adventure" A photo posted by Luke Barnatt (@lukebarnatt) on May 7, 2015 at 12:05am PDT
Barnatt also took a short clip of the Philippine jeepney and praised the heartfelt hospitality that he is receiving, despite the fact that he is scheduled to fight Muñoz in front of the hometown crowd.
Filipino Whip #Jeepney A video posted by Luke Barnatt (@lukebarnatt) on May 9, 2015 at 3:49pm PDT
Starting the day off right here in Manila! Fresh Coconut in bed :-) #FRESH A photo posted by Luke Barnatt (@lukebarnatt) on May 6, 2015 at 8:12pm PDT
On the other hand, former UFC lightweight titleholder Frankie Edgar arrived on Sunday morning, May 10 after a 19-hour flight to the fight capital of Southeast Asia.
After 19 hours of traveling getting right to work. Phillipines we have arrived!! On a mission! #Fe #ironarmy #teamedgar #UFCManila A photo posted by Frankie Edgar (@frankieedgar) on May 10, 2015 at 11:12am PDT
Edgar is slated to lock horns with two-division world champion Urijah Faber in a featherweight super-fight that serves as the main event of UFC Fight Night 66, which takes place at the 20,000-seater SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila.
- Rappler.com