THE first Asian Mixed Martial Arts Manila Open, hosted by the newly-formed Nasyonal Mixed Martial Arts Pederasyon ng Pilipinas (NMMAPP) will be held from October 14 to 16 at the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, NMMAPP president, along with Secretary General Alvin Aguilar, announced the 11-division weight class competitions supported by 9 Dynasty during Wednesday’s press conference at the Marriott.
“This is a good opportunity for all MMA fighters to show their fighting skills not only in some other fight promotions, but also a great avenue for them to fight for their flag and country in the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games,” said Tolentino.
“Our Filipino fighters are known for their skills and courage. I believe they will excel in this first Asian Open,” Tolentino added. “But every country here in Asia is competitive and strong because all of them have a strong MMA background.”
To sweeten the pot, Tolentino announced that all the 11 winners of each division will take home cash rewards. A gold medalist will bag $8,000, while silver medalist will receive $4,000 and $2,000 will be alloted for the bronze medalist.
Tolentino added the sport’s grassroots will be an integral part of the growth of the MMA fighters.
“MMA has always been popular but only recently we will enter at an amateur level,” Tolentino said. “That’s why the foundation must be strong. This will be a huge event.”
Aguilar, the country’s founding father of Philippine MMA and president of Wrestling Association of the Philippines, assured the safety of all competing fighters particularly the Filipinos who expressed their desire to compete like Arvin Chan, Annie Parungao, Carlo Laurel, and Geli Bulaong.
“We have 10 confirmed to join in the competition,” Aguilar said. “We are also in the process of our own arrangements for choosing our athletes. We have our trials to make sure we will field the best Filipino mixed martial artists for this tournament.”
The Philippines is one of the 16 Asian countries competing in this three-day competition that will have 88 competitors. The events are men’s traditional 60, 65, 71, 85, 120 kgs- and women’s 60 kgs- while modern men’s 56, 65, 77, and 96 kgs- and women’s 54 kgs- class.
Aguilar thanked Tolentino and AMMA Organizing Committee Chairman Lock Wai Han for their support for this endeavor in promoting the MMA in the Philippines.
“It was a dream come true for me, and it was not possible without the help of Mr. Abraham Tolentino. This is an opportunity to bring honor to the country and bring medals for the country, that is our goal,” Aguilar added.
Joining Tolentino, Aguilar and Han in the press conference were AMMA sports director Galastein Tan, VIP Director of 9 Dynasty Derris Wong and Newport chief marketing officer David Jorden.
