Pinoys split MMA bouts; Sor Rungvisai defends WBC belt

MANILA -- Srisaket Sor Rungvisai successfully defended his World Boxing Council super flyweight championship at his home country with a unanimous decision victory over Iran Diaz at One: Kingdom of Heroes at the Impact Arena in Pak Kret, Thailand early Sunday.

In the first-ever world boxing title fight to take place in a mixed martial arts event, Sor Rungvisai displayed his power against a game Diaz in front of nearly 20,000 compatriots packing the venue situated within the Metro Bangkok area.

With International Boxing Federation junior bantamweight champ Jerwin Ancajas watching at the sidelines, Sor Rungvisai showed him what he can do ahead of a possible unification bout, tagging Diaz with crisp power punches and solid ring brilliance early on.

The Mexican challenger thought he got his best shots after seemingly knocking down Sor Rungvisai in Rounds 8 and 9, but the referee ruled the said moments as slips.

In the end, Richard De Carufel ruled the contest 120-108, while Fukuchi Yuji and Jun Bae-Im gave similar 119-109 scorecards all in favor of Sor Rungvisai, who moved up to 47 wins, one draw, and four losses.

On the other hand, the Filipino pugilists split their two assignments in the said fight card.

Ramon Gonzales submitted Indonesia's Dodi Mardian via rear naked choke at the 3:33 mark of Round 1 of their MMA contest.

Robin Catalan, however, was at the wrong end of a rear naked choke by Japan's Hayato Suzuki at the 3:42 mark of the second round of their fight.