Eros Baluyot looks to firm up his status as one of the country’s rising stars when he battles veteran Rene Catalan in the main event of URCC 87: Heroes on Tuesday night at the Xylo at the Palace in BGC in Taguig City.
In an exciting striker-versus-grappler clash in the flyweight division, Baluyot is a two-time International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation world champion while Catalan has made a name as three-time wushu world champ and a former MMA world title contender in other promotions.
“We have two world champions here going up against each other,” URCC president Alvin Aguilar said about the headliner during the pre-card press conference last Thursday night also at Xylo.
This marks Catalan’s return to the MMA cage in two years but first with URCC.
Catalan, 44, holds a 6-5 record while the 30-year-old Baluyot carries a 2-0 mark.
URCC co-owner and General Manager Aleksandr Sofronov also expect a fierce showdown.
The co-main event backed by main supporter www.crazywin.ph features a grappling super fight between Godwin Langbayan and Red Samson, while another grappling bout features Troy Legaspi against Paige Alitao.
The other pro MMA bouts supported also by Lucas Lepri BJJ gym pit Rex De Lara against Mhar John Manahan in the featherweight, Mark Cuizon against Rufino Mante in the bantamweight, and Kerwin Tan versus Marco Lampacan in another flyweight encounter.
In amateur MMA, Paolo Cruz takes on Jerald Vellarde in a 150-pound catchweight.
Also slated to take place is the bareknuckle boxing showdown between Christian Panliag and Chris Cantos.
