MANILA — American mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran Will Chope became the interim URCC welterweight champion after submitting Arvin Chan at URCC 81 on Tuesday night at Okada Manila in Parañaque City.
Chope, known as a submission artist, forced Chan to tap out at the 1:45 mark of the first round to become the promotion's king of the 170-pound division for the meantime until John Adajar, the official champ, gets clearance to fight again.
Adajar was actually in attendance to witness the fight, and in an interview with cage announcer Franco Rulloda, he expressed willingness to unite their belts in a future card.
The 32-year-old Chope, who made a triumphant return to URCC after five years, improved to 39-18 with 26 submissions, while Chan fell to 7-7.
In the main event, South Koreans Jeong Min-Hun, Choi Won-Tae and Jeon Young-Jun edged Filipino opponents Caloy Baduria, Sugar Ray Estroso and Bullet Manliclic in a special 3-on-3 attraction.
Jeong ended up as the lone survivor after overpowering the smaller Baduria at the tail-end of their heated six-man showdown that became chippy too quickly.
Jeon was disqualified from the match after illegally stomping an already-blooded Manliclic to the head.
After a long stoppage in play, Manliclic, Estroso and Choi were taken out of the cage as well, leaving Jeong and Baduria to finish the fight.
Jeong quickly staggered Baduria with a flurry of punches and after a few more seconds, referee Joey Lepiten had seen enough and stopped the fight, giving Jeong the win for South Korea.
In other MMA results, Kimbert Alintozon defeated Junie Kimayong via submission, Rhyle Lugo knocked out Alex Aballe, Eros Baluyot edged Mark Abrillo also by KO, Dunlee Stewart defeated John Tirona by knockout as well and Mariano Jones KO'd Gester Manlaque.
On the other hand, the three bareknuckle boxing bouts scheduled in the card all ended up in knockouts. Mark Jalaron beat Denzel Dimaguila in the first round, Joseph Cabral also needed one round to finish Raymond Abrenica, and Dondon Serrano knocked out Sherwin Niro in the second round. (PNA)
