Arenal-Tuck in PXC 28 showdown this Saturday

MANILA, Philippines – Tristan Arenal and Jon Tuck sat on opposite ends of a long table and exchanged words of respect for each other.

But there won’t be an ounce of admiration come Saturday night when they clash in the premiere fight of Pacific Extreme Combat 28 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Arenal, a rising Filipino-American MMA star, is more lethal on his feet, having knocked out and forced into submission his last four opponents in the first round.

He floored Korean Hwang Gyo Pyung after connecting with brickweight punches to the head in his Aug. 20 fight held at the Resorts World in Manila.

“It’s going to be a bloodbath for sure,” said Arenal, who acknowledged Tuck’s skill on the ground.

“But it’s not about where you’re good at. It’s about being the best fighter out there on fight night,” added Arenal, whose family migrated to the United States in the late 80s.

Tuck, a grappling champion in Abu Dhabi, will surely bring the action to the canvass during the match to be aired by AKTV on IBC-13.

“I know it’s going to be explosive and I’m honored for the opportunity to showcase my skills here,” said Tuck, who hails from Guam and has never lost a fight in his young MMA career.

Arenal has an MMA record of four victories against a defeat while Tuck stopped all of his five opponents in the first round, his last win an eight-second knockout of Filipino wushu artist Edward Folayang two years ago in Saipan.