Baguio boys win in SAFC

CORDILLERAN budding mixed martial artists showed their might during the South East Asian Fighting Championship (SAFC) in Pampanga recently.

Bakun native Jessie Bitaga won via technical knockout after his opponent Nikko Altiveros of Yawyan Team Olongapo couldn’t make it to the

second round due to eye injury during the SAFC 39 on February 5 at the Venus Hotel and Sports Club in Angeles Pampanga.

“Masaya kasi nanalo sa isang MMA experience, training pa lalo para makalaban muli, sana sa professional naman,” Muay Thai fighter Bitaga said.

Bitaga is currently coaching at SPAR Gym Institute in Manila and a former member of the national team.

Meanwhile, Fight Corps MMA’s new enlist Salvador Tanggacan showed his ground skills winning over Luis Gabriel Santos of Tough Guys MMA on February 12.

Tanggacan had difficult time executing his striking skills in the earlier rounds but came back on the remaining rounds to dominate and got the win by split decision in the 115 category.

SAFC is one of the fastest growing events in the Philippines as the Pampanga-based promotion holds amateur fight every Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with four bouts.

A monthly professional event features the winners from each night.

Promoters said they hope to build an event where fighters can hone their skills while making themselves comfortable inside the cage at fight nights. SAFC also hopes to give fighters an avenue where they can strut their stuff fighting their way to the professional arena.

The promotion has attracted the likes of professional boxer Roilo Golez who had seen action at the earlier events and won.

Also seeing action in the promotion is current Fight Sports Tournament flyweight champion Jomar Manlangit.