Resorts World backs URCC 27

The initial offering of the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) for the year – the URCC 27: Rebellion – got a big boost yesterday with the backing of Resorts World Manila and Marriott Hotel.

URCC founder and President Alvin Aguilar was brimming with confidence after he signed the contract with Resorts World Manila Chief Operating Officer Stephen Reilly, a development that signals the much-awaited comeback of the country’s oldest mixed martial arts (MMA) organization in the limelight.

Aguilar said their comeback event on April 23 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom is expected to draw much attention as URCC’s pride Red Romero collides with Korean Do Gyum Lee.

"Fighters are better now, more skilled. I want real warriors in our cards, people who can push Filipinos to their limits. I can't wait to have the next Manny Pacquiao to come from this event," said Aguilar.

Fighting for Deftac, Romero will be defending his URCC featherweight title for the second time after a successful title defense gainst Malaysia’s Jian Kai Chee in July of last year.

"I'm not only doing this for myself. I'm doing this for the country," said Romero.

Twelve other Filipino fighters will also see action in the undercard, with CJ De Tomas of De Tomas MMA clashing with Japanese Hideo Morikawa of Zendokai in the flyweight championship, and Elorde MMA’s Caloy Baduria colliding with Swiss Chris Hoffman of Deftac in the light heavyweight championship.

De Tomas hopes to grab the belt from Morikawa, the same fighterwho defeated his father, Charles De Tomas, in a referee stopped contest six years ago.