It was a scene straight out of a wrestling show.
Celebrities Baron Geisler and Kiko Matos wasted no time trading barbs when the two met during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum in Shakey’s Malate, days before their much awaited duel at URCC Fight Night on Saturday at Valkyrie.
The two will try to deliver on their words as they enter the cage to settle their differences stemming from an unfortunate bar encounter last month.
Geisler, known for his penchant for street fights, unleashed the first shot when he interrupted a question for the both of them and let Matos answer first, saying: “Ayaw mo bang ladies first?”
That was the spark the firestorm as the two combatants hurled taunts at each other.
When asked what’s the difference between the two, Geisler said, “He’s a monkey. I’m a human being.”
For his part, Matos admitted that their encounter may have been a bit at a wrong time.
“Kidding aside, I thought we’d be friends. Wala na akong galit eh, but it’s too late to turn back now.”
He pointed out the bruises on Geisler’s face and vowed to add one more when they meet inside the cage.
It was Matos who got physical in the two previous times they crossed paths. He first punched Geisler in that bar feud which paved way for the ring match and once again kicked his opponent after the URCC match was formally announced.
He explained that Geisler brought those attacks upon himself, saying, “You [Geisler] asked for it.”
Geisler, meanwhile, pulled no punches and called Matos “a liar.”
Asked if there is something good he can say to his opponent, the actor said, “Maganda siguro yung bigote nya, but he’s a very, very good liar.”
He then repeated his now famous line to Matos: “Mahal kita pero bibigwasan kita. Isa lang.”
Pro-am rules
URCC president Alvin Aguilar explained that Geisler and Matos will fight under pro-am rules, squaring off in two three-minute rounds.
They will also have to wear custom-made mouthpieces and both will use thicker gloves compared to those used by the other fighters in the match card.
A referee will also stop the bout once he deems one of the fighters legitimately hurt and the promotion will take responsibility for the outcome of the match.
“I know these two guys and regardless what you’ve heard or what you’ve seen, they are good kids. Instead of nakikipag-away sila sa bar, destruction of property, magka-demandahan, why don’t we turn this into something good? They can show that mixed martial arts is no joke and we could have a good resolution to whatever problem they have,” Aguilar said.
But is there a rematch in play after it’s all set and done? Aguilar said, “It’s up to them.”