November 17 was an MMA night for me as i watched the fight of two warriors who are a product of Davao City. One defends his first title belt while the other makes his first step inside the Octagon.
I did not learned about this not until the fight day when I saw the name in the undercard, Steve Grandeza. At first I thought my eyes are playing games on me, but i did a third, fourth look and the screen did not make a lie. Indeed it was Steve Grandeza. Mr. Grandeza is a very well known martial artist in Davao who won a world kickboxing belt last 2010 (If my memory serves it right). He is a Tang Soo Do Modukwan Master and a muay practitioner. For several years, many MMA enthusiasts from Davao were asking , when will Mr. Grandeza evolve to a mixed martial artist, and the questions were answered. It was his debut fight in the MMA world. He was pitted against Kyle Aguon from Guam, a grappler. A fight between world class striker and seasoned grappler. The first few minutes showed an experience and well conditioned Mr.Grandeza as he threw several kicks and punches. However, the mood of the fight turned different when Mr.Grandeza was taken down as Aguon from Guam, slowly creeps, and slowly moves to a typical grappler stratgey, and that is...takedown, sidecontrol, full mount, pound then submit. Aguon from a low mount slowly went to a high mount, he trapped Grnedzas right upper extremity with his left knees, and as the mounted Grandeza defends the pounding of Aguon by extending his left arm, it was just about time when Aguon executed a perfect armbar from the mount. It was deep, and if he did further hip extension it would have damaged his opponents arm. The Tap was a little controversial, however, in slow motion, there was indeed a motion of tapping. Thing is, the ref stopped the fight for the protection of the fighter, if the ref did not stopped it, it could have snapped Grandeza's left arm or maybe he could have escaped. It was the ref's ultimate decision and prerogative. Nonetheless, its not the end for Grandeza but rather a beginning. I am sure he will study the fight and learn from this and stand-up and come out a better and greater warrior.
Well on the next fight was the first title defense of Ali "the young Gun" Cali against an MMA veteran Erwin Tagle. This fight was postponed several months ago due to a nose fracture of Cali incurred during his training. After recovering from an injury he was set again to fight Tagle. It was a stand-up fight between the two, as Cale showed his boxing skills and Tagle showing his kicks. Both gave powerful shots and connected. However, it was Ali's foot work and body punches who did a lot of damage to Tagle which propmted the veteran not to continue anymore.
To both our Fighters - heads up, chin high continue fighting, continue representing
to Mr. Grandeza it doesnt matter how you fall but rather how you stand-up
to Ali congratulations - be humble and continue giving us a good show.
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