Ricardo M. Sapno III
Interim Featherweight Champ URCC 2011
MMA Davao: thanks for giving us your time and know the lighter side of the champ, know about your preparations and know some of your views about MMA.
Let me start with your alias, how did you get your name" el Matador" ?
MMA Davao: any words for your fans and other fighters who want to follow your footsteps?
This aka was given by Louie Ablin Abucayan, one of my sparring partner and asst. coach during our previous event in submission wrestling conducted at NCCC Mall Davao. Sabi pa nya kasi that i look like mexican and he came up "el Matador" through my middle name "M".
el matador
MMA Davao: What are your thoughts on the title fight at URCCBLACK TIE BRAWL?
I was trained by my parents to be very positive in every endeavor that I have to accomplish, hence , I became the champion of this fight. I thought that I will be facing Eric Kelly for the title fight @ URCC BLACK TIE BRAWL but unfortunately he was replaced by Red Romero, for some reason that Eric Kelly cannot continue and defend his title.
MMA Davao: What do you know about your opponent?
Actually I didn't know a lot about my opponent Red Romero of Yaw Yan, but all i know that he is a tough fighter.
MMA Davao: How did you prepare for this fight against your opponent?
I trained hard, all necessary workout, sparring through kickboxing, juijitsu & judo, & make my self well prepared of course with the help of my coach Bambi Posadas & Dr. Angelito "The Saint" Manguray.
the fighter and the Coach (Mr. Bambi Posadas)
MMA Davao: Romero got you in that deep triangle choke..what were your thoughts? what was running in your mind?
When he got me on that triangle akala ko tapos na ako but sabi ko sa sarili ko that i will never tap until i got a little opening and take that advantage to get out from that position.
MMA Davao: They say MMA is brutal sport and a sport only for non professionals (college grads…etc), Give us your thoughts on this…
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles.
The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be traced back to the ancient Olympic combat sport of Pankration. Various mixed style contests also took place throughout Europe, Japan and the Pacific Rim during the early 1900s.
I guess it all boils down to the fact that MMA takes the best of all the combat sports, combines them and pits them against each other.
the champ at his office working...a professional by day and
a fighter after work..
I firmly disagree with that claim because me myself is a professional. I graduated Bachelor of Science In Commerce, Major in Management at Holy Cross of Davao college. Also I worked as Area Supervisor of Royal Cargo Combined Logistics her in Davao City. The same with Dr. Angelito” The Saint” Manguray who is a practicing dentist. He is also a champion and loves the said sport. And, for those who are not so familiar with the sport will say it’s brutal. But for those who enjoyed watching it will become a fan and maybe will dream that someday he will be a champion in this kind of sport.
the featherweight champ, the founder and the saint also a champ
MMA Davao: What can you say about MMA in Davao, are the Davawenos prepared for this?
Very much prepared and this is because of the UFC being telecast in known TV station in the country.
to be continued..................................
chillin........................
MMA Davao: how does it feel to have the belt?
Fulfilling and another honor for Dabawenos.
MMA Davao: any words for your fans and other fighters who want to follow your footsteps?
I would to extend my deepest gratitude to all my fans and of course to my fellow fighters. This achievement is not mine alone but for all of us. To other fighters lets continue loving this sport. I believe this is the secret to be a champion.
In behalf of MMA Davao we would like to thank you for taking time in this interview and we hope that you will go a long way on this sport! Our support and Congratulations!!!
LETS GET IT ON!!!!
