Romero stakes URCC crown versus Korean

Red Romero puts his United Reality Combat Championship featherweight belt on the line against Korea’s Do Gyum-lee in the marquee fight of URCC 27: Rebellion on April 23 at Marriot Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.

It will be Romero’s second defense of the title after his victory over Jian Kai Chee of Malaysia in June last year.

Known for his lethal forearm strikes, Romero, who fights out of Deftac, said he has worked on his wrestling skills as he braces for war against the Korean.

“I can’t predict anything because I know he is a strong fighter,” said Romero. “I can only prepare the best way I can. I want to keep my belt.”

The Romero-Do bout is one of four title fights in the 10-bout card, said URCC head Alvin Aguilar during the press conference yesterday at Resorts World Manila.

Aguilar hyped the card as one of the URCC’s best with fighters improving their craft.

“What will be different this year is the level of the fighters,” said Aguilar. “When MMA started, a lot of the guys were weekend warriors. Now, we have fighters who have done this their whole life.”

Other noteworthy fights in the card include the clash between unbeaten Filipino CJ De Tomas and Japanese Hideo Morikawa, who will defend his URCC flyweight belt.

The lightweight title will also be disputed by American fighter Will Chope and Richie Redman of Legacy Gym Boracay.

URCC veteran Caloy Baduria of Elorde MMA returns to fight Swiss Chris Hoffman in a battle of fierce strikers.

“Our fighters are getting better and better, their training is better now,” said Aguilar. “For sure, they’re skills are gonna be above what you’ve seen before.”