CJ “The Golden Boy” De Tomas had the trimmings of a great fighter when Universal Reality Combat Championships (URCC) big boss Alvin Aguilar spotted him in a gym over a decade ago.
After 11 years, De Tomas is now the flyweight champion of Asia’s longest running mixed martial arts promotion.
“He (De Tomas) has come a long way and has beaten whoever the URCC put out in front of him,” said Aguilar during yesterday’s presser of the URCC 28: Vindication at Resorts World Manila.
Armed with exceptional ground skills, the 20-year-old De Tomas faces Alvin “Kastigo” Ramirez in his first title defense as co-event in the Nov. 6 card.
The other fight will pit reigning featherweight titleholder Do Gyeom Lee of South Korea and Ryan dela Cruz.
“My game plan is to take him (Ramirez) down and finish the fight early,” said De Tomas. “I will end it either by submission or stoppage.”
As for Ramirez, it’s another crack at the title that eluded him in his past four attempts.
Ramirez showed striking skills in narrow defeats against warriors Roy Doliguez, Roy Docyogen, Hideo Morikawa and Dennis Salazar.
“We know that CJ is a very good wrestler, but I assure you that it will not be a walk in the park,” said Ramirez.
Other bouts will pit Geli Bulaong and Chinese Yan Qi Hui in the women’s flyweight championship, featherweight Red Romero and Miguel Mosquera, strawweight Solomon Dultra and MJ Abrillo, bantam Drex Zamboanga and Sem Bicaldo, and bantam Arjay Bongala and Rodian Menchavez.
A special exhibition bout will also be featured between Team Chan and Team Estroso.
All three fighters on each side will engage in a royal rumble kind of fracas.