By MARK REY MONTEJO
Former UFC star Fil-American Mark Striegl and undefeated fighter Godwin Langbayan are ready to stamp their class as they headline the Filipino fighters in the first-ever Kombat Sports Kalayaan (KSK) MMA Festival in Poblacion, Makati City on Sunday evening, April 28.
The 35-year-old Striegl is going for redemption when he battles compatriot Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt holder Paige Alitao for the grappling superfight championship which will be one of the highlights in the action-packed fight card that will also feature numerous local grapplers.
Alitao previously defeated Striegl’s teammate Troy Legaspi in the URCC 87 last year.
“It will be an exciting grappling superfight because we both have similar aggressive styles. I wanna get revenge for my teammate [Troy] and beat Paige (Alitao) in the grappling bout,” said Striegl at KSK’s press conference on Thursday, April 11.
Striegl and Alitao fight in a one 10-minute round bout under ADCC ruling.
“I always go for the finish. I’m never in a boring MMA grappling [or] sambo fight,” said Striegl.
“This is a great show for the Filipinos [MMA fighters) to showcase their skills and show their talents, locally, and build their records,” he added.
Meanwhile, in the main event, Langbayan, who currently holds a pristine 6-0 professional record, stakes his unbeaten run against Singapore’s Sim Khai Xiong (5-1-0) for the coveted KSK MMA title.
Also fighting in the precolonial-theme slugfest in the P. Burgos street are Duane Pascua, Elorde Sandigon, Joemar Gallaza, Jhen Buzon, Anacleto Lauron, Arsenio Balisacan, Rex De Lara and many more.
Breaking barriers
Aside from its goal to further bolster and strengthen the local community, KSK gym owner, event organizer, youth and sports advocate Cyren Seno is also pursuing ‘something noble’’ which was never seen and done before in MMA.
“One of the interesting things about this event is this is the first time it’s organized by women and LGBT,” Seno stressed.
“In fact we’re promoting the event to the LGBT community and hopefully, we can recruit them to come on board. Because right now, the MMA scene is a really male-dominated event,” she added.
“So hopefully, malay mo in the future we will have an LGBT, an all inclusive bout for this show, kasi lagi nalang puro lalaki, diba?”
