Manila Standard

Jones dedicates fight to LGBTQ community

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MARIANO Jones is eyeing back- to- back triumphs in the Universal Reality Combat Championsh­ip for all the members of the LGBTQ+ ( lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgende­r, queer and more) community.

He will be fighting Filipino fighter Arvin “Sharpshoot­er” Chan in a #1 welterweig­ht contender duel as the co-main event at URCC 84 Rage on April 25 at Xylo at the Palace in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

“I hope this fight will show all the LGBTQ members not to be afraid to be themselves as they pursue their dreams in whatever field or profession they choose without the fear of being judged,” the Costa Rican fighter told reporters during the fight’s news conference in BGC over the weekend.

“Sexuality and performanc­e have nothing to do with each other. I dedicated this fight to them,”he said.

Jones, 26, also known as the “Hitman,” admitted he’s been in a relationsh­ip with a transgende­r and he doesn’t care what others say about him. He said what’s important is to pursue a great career in the mixed martial arts field.

“I don’t really put labels on myself or others, but since I am into trans, I would probably fall in the B part of the LGBTQ since I also like girls. I just live my life and do what I want without caring what others think about me,” the Manila- based fighter explained.

The fight is supported by Philippine­s Nuebe Gaming and Vietnamese Highlands Coffee.

After debuting impressive­ly in MMA with a first-round technical knockout win over Gester Maglaque in last December 6’s URCC 81 Decades of Success, Jones (1- 0) said he would take care of business first by beating Chan.

 ?? ?? URCC president and founder Alvin Aguilar and vice president Alex Safronov host the URCC Rage 84 press conference in BGC.
URCC president and founder Alvin Aguilar and vice president Alex Safronov host the URCC Rage 84 press conference in BGC.

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