Harris Sarmiento claims Lightweight title, as Filipinos stamp class in PXC 26

Photo from MMA Absolute

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-American Harris “The Hitman” Sarmiento submitted Guamanian Ronnie Borja to claim the Pacific X-Treme Combat Lightweight crown that capped off a stellar show by Filipino cagefighters Saturday night in the PXC 26 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.

Sarmiento — an Ilocos Norte born, US raised fighter — deployed an arm bar that left the sturdy Borja no choice but to tap out at the 4:58 mark of the fourth round.

The 27-year-old Sarmiento, who is fighting out of 808 Top Team, flattened Borja on the mat with a double-leg takedown before gaining side control that set up the submission move.

“I saw his [Borja] arm give in and I took it [the opportunity],” said Sarmiento, who had his hands full against the strong-chinned Borja.

“All the work paid off, I love fighting here [in Manila],” added Sarmiento.

Davao’s own Ali Cali and Fil-Am Tristan Arenal also paraded their wares before a sizable crowd as they scored on early victories.

Cali, the unbeaten southpaw out of Freelance, exploited his speed advantage and peppered the overweight Josh Alvarez for a TKO triumph at the 2:05 mark of the opening round.

Arguably the most scintillating win came from Arenal, who unleashed a crashing left that had Korea’s Hwang Gyo Pyung down in an instant.

Arenal then, sealed the deal with a smashing blow to his foe’s face just as the referee was about to call an end to their short bout.

“I put a lot of work in my boxing,” said Arenal, who earned a knockout victory at 3:18 on the clock for his fourth win in five fights.

In another Philippines against Guam fight, Team Lakay’s Jasor Ablasi of Baguio edged the wiry Kyle Aguon via unanimous decision in their bantamweight battle.

With shorter reach, Ablasi at first had trouble in sizing up the five-foot-nine Aguon before able to land a walloping overhand right in the last round that proved to be the determining factor to get the judges’ nod with all three scoring it 29-28.

“I waited for him [Aguon] to come and I hit him very hard,” recalled Ablasi, who had Aguon on a guillotine choke in the first round.

Geje Estaquio and Crisanto Pitpitunge meanwhile, made it three-for-three for Team Lakay after defeating their respective foes.

Estaquio beat compatriot Rogelito Plomeda via TKO at the 3:50 mark of round number two while Pitpitunge got lucky when his opponent Guam’s Alex Castro incurred an injury and was not able to continue after the first round.

Estaquio let loose a blistering outside low kick that left the soft-spoken Plomeda, a former professional boxer of the renowned ALA boxing stable, crippling in pain.

Pitpitunge on the other hand, was saved by the bell in the opening round as Castro, the former lightweight titleholder, pummeled the helpless Filipino with heavy blows.

The five-foot-six Pitpitunge, who made a bad move by turning his back while Castro was in full mount, barely survived the round if it wasn’t for the bell, as he bled profusely after obtaining a cut just above his right eye.

Other results saw Chris Manuel of the United States showed no signs of any rust as he tallied a TKO win over fellow American Eben Kaneshiro even as Korea’s Hyun Gyu Lim overwhelmed USA’s Ross Ebanez also via TKO.

In the curtain raiser, American Rafael Rebello of American Top Team nipped David Cho via unanimous decision.

PXC 26 marked the second time the Guam-based mixed martial arts event was held here.