Asia’s longest running mixed martial arts platform, the URCC, has gone big with its upcoming URCC 24: Uprising event, highlighting the return of promotional vet Eric Kelly in the main event along with showcasing two title fights on a ten-bout line-up.
Officials announced the final fight card through the Facebook platform.
URCC 24: Uprising takes place November 30 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, Philippines..
Eric Kelly vs. Jian Bo Lu, plus two title fights set for URCC 24: Uprising
Having established a solid reputation well before his ONE FC stint, Eric Kelly (9-1) earned his title shot in the Singapore-based organization by picking up wins over Mitch Chilson, Bae Young Kwon and Jens Pulver. The 31-year-year, however, fell short in his 145-lbs title outing against Honorio Banario at ONE FC 7: Return of Warriors, and has been on the shelves since.
Kelly (pictured), a former URCC 145-lbs champ, is set to welcome Jian Bo Lu (13-2) to the promotion come fight night. Lu is a native of China who holds an 80% win rate and a lucrative MMA record that is pretty much unaccounted for.
The Heavyweight championship strap will also be up for grabs on November 30 as Igor Subora (4-1) contests Marcus Valda (1-0). Subora is the reigning champ and has pretty much fought all of his pro fights under the URCC banner. Following a submission set-back in his MMA debut, Subora has since rebounded with four consecutive first round stoppage victories.
Marcus Valda will have to be up to the task though. The Filipino has only made a single appearance in his pro MMA career and that was back in 2009. Ring rust may be a factor come fight night and Valda, the challenger, may very well have to set up the barricades in this one.
Valda’s team-mate, Reydon “Red” Romero (6-4), fights on the same card as well. He’ll be taking on the current 145-lbs champ Ricardo Sapno (6-1) for the second time. Their initial meeting ended in a TKO loss for Romero, who was stopped by strikes in the second frame. Romero is on a 2-3 run with his most recent appearance coming by way of a TKO win over Carlo Lodvice in September.
Sapno, meanwhile, is set to fight for the first time following complication of his contractual obligations with both the URCC and PXC. “El Matador” possesses a 100% finish rate and is on a three-fight winning skid.
A notable bout featuring Adrian Hillana (1-1) and Ali Khatibi (1-0, 1 NC) among many others is also set for the month-end fight card.
Check out the full line-up below:
- Eric Kelly vs. Jian Bo Lu
- Igor Subora vs. Marcus Valda (For URCC Heavyweight Championship title)
- Reydon Romero vs. Ricardo Sapno (For URCC Featherweight Championship title)
- Roy Doliguez vs. Franklin Donglay
- Adrian Hillana vs. Ali Khatibi
- Andrew Benibe vs. Onyok Transmonte
- Lino Tagacay vs. Jay Olod
- Meshaal Al Khuzeem vs. Melchor Cases
- Rocky Vergara vs. Ric Myler Empil
- Lito Adiwang vs. MJ Abrillo
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