Zamboanga is new URCC bantamweight king

Drex Zamboanga, a fast-rising 24-year-old mixed martial arts star out of Top Guys International, asserted his youthful power over an older Rex de Lara of MUMMA/Fight Factory to rule the Casino Filipino (CF) Battle Extreme Tournament of Superstars (BETS) 3 and take the vacant Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) bantamweight title at the CF Manila Bay in Ermita, Manila recently.

The fighters, both nicknamed ‘T-Rex,’ engaged in a fierce exchange of attacks until the middle of the penultimate round when Drex caught De Lara napping at the mat with his ferocious attacks en route to registering his first major international victory.

In other featured bouts, Filipino bet John Adajar of Hitman MMA beat top Korean rival Lee Min Hyeok (Crazy Gwang Gym) via split decision in the welterweight class, while another Korean gladiator, Moon Syeung Gyu, avenged the loss of his compatriot by knocking out Southeast Asian Fighting Championship (SAFC) title-holder Ruel Rio in just 42 seconds of the first round of their match.

The event was organized by the URCC in partnership with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

In the other fight cards, Jim Kimmayong of the Elements MMA, decisioned Eff Sevilla of Team Fight Republic, while Lucky Mateo of Fight Corporation beat Crisz Aplicador of Hitman MMA.

Michael Fengki of Fight Corps MMA won via the scorecards over Arvin Bongala of ACT MMA, while Arvin Chan of DEN MMA defeated Paulo Almendrela in a verbal tapout at the1:15 mark of the first round.

Meanwhile, Ariel Olivarez of Brown House MMA, won via technical knockout (TKO) over Eddie Estrada of Yaw Yan Buhawi in the first round, while Pepito Masangkay of DEN MMA stopped Oyo Cruz of Hitman MMA also via TKO.