One FC: Three quick Filipino triumphs
Fast-rising mixed martial arts star Mark “Mugen” Striegl displayed overpowering form with a one-round demolition of American Casey Suire in the One Fighting Championship: Valor of Champions at Mall of Asia Arena recently.
Feared for his prowess on the ground, the Filipino-American bantamweight based in Baguio came up with a rear naked choke that forced referee Joey Lepeten to come to Suire’s rescue at the 3:48 mark of the first round.
Striegl, 22, hiked his MMA record to 14 wins and one loss after his scintillating One FC debut.
“I got the opportunity to take him down early with a side headlock before moving on his back for the choke,” said Streigl.
Two more Filipino MMA specialists prevailed in the first round with flyweight Eugene Toquero punishing Brianata Rosadhi with sharp elbows on the ground and sanda fighter Edward Kelly humbling fellow Filipino Jimmy Yabo with a rear naked choke in their featherweight clash.
Toquero and the Indonesian brought the crowd to its feet with a thrilling grappling scene before the Filipino finished off Rosadhi with a ground and pound.
Kelly worked his way out from a clinch then nailed Yabo with the choke for the tapout.
Muay fighter Anatpong Bunrad of Thailand prevailed over Team Lakay’s Geje Eustaquio by split decision to deny the Filipinos a sweep.
In the welterweight titular bout, defending champion Ben “Funky” Askren accidentally poked challenger Luis Santos in the eye in the first round.
Referee Olivier Coste stopped the fight because of the impaired vision of Santos.
