With champion Joe Taimanglo making a move to US-based MMA promotion Bellator, the featherweight belt is now very much up for grabs, and two matches with major title implications will be on the PXC 37 card slated for May 18 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Striegl, one of the country’s fastest-rising local stars, will fight debuting Japanese fighter Yusuke Yachi, a Shooto champion from the famed Krazy Bee dojo in Tokyo, while longtime contender Jang Yong Kim of Korean Top Team takes on Hawaii’s Nate Thorell in the other side of the bracket.
The winners will be scheduled to fight for the title in August.
Striegl, undefeated in 12 MMA fights and 2-0 in the PXC, catapulted himself into contention after a high-profile win over PXC lightweight champion Harris Sarmiento at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in PXC 34.
The Filipino-American fighter out of Fight Corps MMA in Baguio has breezed through his PXC opposition, winning both of his fights with submission finishes in the first round.
Striegl was actually in line to fight for the belt before Taimanglo was released so he could pursue a title in a US mainland-based promotion.
But Striegl’s young opponent figures to be a challenge, touting an impressive 9-3 Shooto record and becoming a champion at only 22 years old, with significant victories over veterans like Wataru Miki and Yuji Hoshino. One of his losses was to PXC fighter Guy Delameau in 2011.
Yachi joins the crop of new talent in the PXC, a promotion that has prided itself on showcasing future MMA stars on their way to the top level of the sport like the UFC.
“We pride ourselves on recruiting young talent and giving them exposure with tough fights against some of the best fighters from California to China,” said PXC CEO and promoter EJ Calvo. “We are happy to welcome Yusuke Yachi to our PXC roster of elite featherweights. He is an exciting technical fighter on his feet as well as on the ground.”
On the other end of the bracket, South Korean challenger Kim , whose most recent fight was a loss in a title fight against Taimanglo, looks to re-establish himself in the division as he takes on 808 Fight Factory’s Thorell, who is 4-1 as a pro and 1-0 in the PXC so far.
Kim, like Striegl, holds a win over lightweight champ Sarmiento in the 145-lb. division.
PXC 37 will also feature Filipino bantamweight champion Crisanto ‘The Slugger’ Pitpitunge defending his belt against dangerous challenger Michinori Tanaka and another homegrown PXC titlist, flyweight champ Ale Cali, making a defense against young contender Louis Smolka.
The event will be broadcast nationwide on AKTV via IBC-13 and streamed online via PXC’s Facebook page. Those interested can visit www.pxc.com.ph or www.facebook.com/pxcmma for more news and information.
PXC 37 is presented by San Mig Strong Ice and Sports 5. With special thanks to PLDT MY DSL, Fitness First, FHM Philippines, FHM.com.ph, Premiere Condoms, Healthway Agility Philippines, Beer Below Zero, Real Sports Radio, Loqal.ph, Filquest Media Concepts, Eden Night Club, SM Tickets and TicketWorld.
source: interaksyon.com
