Rolando Dy faces Australian newcomer Aydin Mrouki at PXC 55 in Guam

One of Philippines’ top 145 pounders , Rolando Gabriel “Dy Incredible” Dy, meets Aussie fighter Aydin Mrouki in a non-title scrap in Guam as part of the main card fights of PXC 55, which will be headlined by a Flyweight Championship showdown between Riley Dutro and Darren Uyenoyama for the vacant 125 pound title.

“Dy Incredible” told MMAOrient Thursday afternoon that he is no longer fighting for the featherweight title, but is set to face Mrouki in a non-title bout in Guam.

Dy was originally set to challenge Alex Volkanovski for his PXC Featherweight title at PXC 55 until a call from the UFC came for the heavy-handed Australian and offered him to face fellow former PXC champ Jon Tuck in Manila for UFC Fight Night 97.

Volkanovski immediately vacated his title and grabbed that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase his talent inside the Octagon, leaving the Filipino pugilist doubting if he is still going to fight for the PXC featherweight title or if he is still going to fight at all in Guam,

“When they first told me that I am going to fight Alex for the title, I was very happy. I was challenged when I knew I’m going to fight Alex. I knew it will be tough to get the belt because I’m going against him. Then they told me that Alex was signed by the UFC and I will no longer fight for the title. I was disappointed.” Dy said.

It was a tough news to take for Dy, but instead of thinking too much about his cancelled title fight, he moved on and focused himself to the task at hand which is to get the “W” against  the up and comer by a spectacular fashion.

Although Mrouki has only fought once inside the “Terror Dome”, Dy does not underestimate him. He will respect him and will prepare for the fight as though it is for the title, “Aydin is confident, smart, long and patient fighter. He got some good boxing and BJJ as well.” Dy stated.

Mrouki fought Jaypee Espinosa at PXC 53 earlier this year and got the win by way of unanimous decision, the same night where Dy knocked out Matsushima in the very first round, “He is good but he hasn’t fought any caliber fighter so I really can’t tell if he has something to bring to the table against me. But I don’t underestimate him.” Dy said. “I will show him high-level MMA; high level striking.” He added.

Dy’s striking is accuracy and power is undeniable. He is light on his feet, moves his head well and very composed fighter. He showed  why he is one of the best strikers in the PXC when he knocked out the then undefeated Matsushima last April 2016.

The 25-year-old Dy was tagged by a heavy left hook after throwing a kick to Matsushima’s body. He stayed calm and composed despite getting hurt and connected his own left hook that sent the Japanese fighter falling down face first on the canvas. It was the knockout every fans was waiting for that night and Dy gave it to them in just 23 seconds of the very first round,

“Matsushima connected but I recovered right away. Then he came in with his hands down, so I threw my own left hook. I am more of a counter puncher than attacker.” Said Dy who registered his first-ever KO victory of his MMA career. “So if you are an aggressive fighter like Matsushima, be careful.” he added.

When asked if he has something to say to Mrouki, “You cannot strike with me.” Dy confidently answered.

Aoki vs. Folayang, Gafurov vs.Jadamba 2 are set on November 11 at One Championship – Defending Honor!

Singapore-based mixed martial arts organization is set to feature two intriguing championship fights on November 11, 2016 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

CEO of ONE Championship, Victor Cui, stated: “2016 has been an amazing year for ONE Championship. After meeting with the biggest names in the industry at the Asia MMA Summit, we are proud to announce a spectacular fight card set for the Singapore Indoor Stadium this November. We are going in with two world title fights that will set the ONE Championship cage ablaze with world-class MMA action and excitement, along with a series of really solid supporting bouts.”

Headlining the said card is a duel between Japanese MMA superstar, the current One Championship Lightweight king, Shinya Aoki, and top Filipino 155 pounder in Eduard Folayang.

Aoki is no stranger to MMA fans around the world. The Shizuoka native is known for his grappling prowess and colorful character inside and outside the cage.

“Tobikan Judan” has not been beaten since October of 2012 and has only gone the distance twice in his One Championship career. He is riding a nine-fight winning streak including his first-round RNC win against former UFC fighter Kamal Shalorus and a unanimous decision victory over former Legend Fighting Championship’s Lightweight champion Koji Ando.

After defeating Ando to become the One Championship lightweight champion last May 2015, Aoki then submitted the legendary Japanese MMA icon Kazushi Sakuraba at Rizin Fighting Federation last December 2015.

On November 11, Aoki will defend his title for the first time against the highly-talented Filipino fighter in Eduard Folayang.

Team Lakay’s Folayang has been in the business for nine years and it seems like he is not done yet; not until he becomes the One Championship 155 lbs. title holder.

The Baguio-based Wushu Sanshou champion and the former URCC Welterweight king has been through ups and downs on his One Championship career.  He is 6-3 inside the One Championship cage with remarkable wins over Felipe Enomoto, Vincent Latoel, Kotetsu Boku, and Adrian Pang.

The former high school teacher is preparing himself for the biggest fight of his career so far in Aoki.

Folayang’s striking abilities has been the key for his recent wins, but he is that type of fighter who works hard every day to improve other aspects of his game. He does not slow down and he makes sure that fans will see a much-improved fighter every time he steps inside the cage.

“The Landslide” proved in his recent fights that he has upgraded his game, especially when it comes to the wrestling department which in the past years has been the biggest hole in his game.

Can Folayang stop Aoki’s win streak? Or will the Japanese continues to dominate everyone in his division?  Questions will be answered on November 11 when these two great athletes lock horns inside the One Championship cage.

Another championship fight is going down in Singapore on November 11 as Russian submission phenom Marat “Cobra” Gafurov takes on a familiar foe in Jadamba Narantungalag for the second time around.

Gafurov and Narantungalag first meeting was in November of 2015 when the Russian was the challenger. It was a back-and-forth action between the two warriors until Gafurov saw an opportunity to make the Mongolian tap in the fourth round by way of rear-naked-choke.

Since losing his title to Gafurov in November 2015, Narantungalag piled up two impressive wins against Kotetsu Boku and Eric Kelly which gave him the ticket to face the current champion next month in Singapore.

Two fighters will try to get back on the winning track as Adrian “The Hunter” Pang meets Eddie “The Magician” Ng in a fireworks-guaranteed lightweight fight.

Here is the partial fight card for One Championship: Defending Honor

Lightweight Championship: Shinya Aoki vs. Eduard Folayang

Featherweight Championship: Marat Gafurov vs. Jadamba Narantungalag

Eddie Ng vs. Adrian Pang

Timofey Natsyukhin vs. Kotetsu Boku

Samir Mrabet vs. Amir Khan

Mona Samir vs. Michelle Nicolini

Follow MMAOrient on Instagram: @MMAOrient2

Follow me on Twitter: @zikesugawara

Mark Striegl Continues His Path To Greatness

Since his pro MMA debut in July of 2009, Mark Striegl has been on a tear and he has no plans of slowing down until he gets to the pinnacle of his career.

Mark “Mugen” Striegl has proven through his track record that he is undoubtedly, the best Filipino featherweight fighter today; he boasts an unbelievable record of 12-0 (10 submissions, 2 decisions) including his recent submission victory over seasoned veteran, Harris “The Hitman” Sarmiento at PXC 34.

Striegl’s popularity is going global as he has been featured in some of the largest MMA magazines in Asia and has recently signed a sponsorship deal with one of the world’s leading footwear companies for athletes, Vibram FiveFingers. There are also rumors that he will be the next PXC fighter to be signed by the largest MMA organization in the world, the UFC. Some say, it is just a matter of time until we see this talented warrior fighting inside the world-famous octagon.

The 24-year-old Filipino-American fighter has outstanding wins over former PXC bantamweight champion Crisanto Pitpitunge, Bae Yong Kwon, Ev Ting and the current PXC lightweight king Harris Sarmiento. Striegl is widely considered as the “next big thing” in the Filipino MMA scene and is no doubt one of the most destructive fighters in Asian MMA.

So far, no one has come close to solving the puzzle of Mark Striegl. It seems that Striegl’s MMA game gets better each time he steps into the cage.

It is no secret that Striegl’s ground game is his bread and butter, but no one knows how good Striegl’s striking is, which he has developed over the past two years training in the high-altitude area of Baguio City, Philippines. Striegl is training full-time in Baguio and is the head coach of the newly established fight team called “Fight Corps MMA.”

Striegl is currently signed under one of Asia’s top MMA promotions, PXC. He is 2-0 in the Guam-based organization.

His fight against top Japanese fighter Yusuke Yachi was cancelled last month due to an injury he sustained when sparring with fellow PXC fighter Glen Ranillo, but the Filipino MMA icon is looking to make his comeback in front of his hometown crowd in the Philippines on September 14th against a yet to be announced opponent.

Everytime Striegl, Ale Cali and Pitpitunge are featured on a PXC card in the Philippines, it is proven that TV ratings and gate attendance are at an all-time high. This is why he is tagged as one of the “hottest” properties of PXC. He can draw thousands of fight fans to watch him, buy his merchandise, and follow him on social media. Mark Striegl is a superstar in the making.

This is the beginning of Striegl’s path to greatness. With the rumored UFC card in the Philippines in 2014, Striegl, in my opinion, is only a win or two away from being signed and making his octagon debut next year in his backyard.

I would love to see the Striegl vs. Yachi match-up on September 14th, but Yachi’s injury requires more time to heal. Instead, a world featherweight championship match between Striegl and Korean Top Team’s Jang Yong Kim is a fight that thousands of fight fans want to see and could be equally entertaining.

Check out Striegl on facebook atwww.facebook.com/markmugen or follow him on twitter at www.twitter.com/markmugen

A Quick Chat With Filipino-American Bellator Fight Master Cast, A.J Matthews

A.J Matthews is a welterweight prospect based out of San Diego, California. Training out of Blackline Training Center, Matthews possess well-rounded potential given the combination of his athleticism, strong striking arsenal and developing ground game.

The 23-year-old Matthews is a Filipino/English/American fighter that has been around MMA for more than 10 years. A.J was named by Sports Illustrated as top prospect in MMA by Josh Gross, and has created buzz behined his name.This buzz caught the attention of Bellator FC and AJ signed a deal with this organization.

Matthews just recently made it into the first-ever Bellator’s reality TV show called “Fight Masters” alongside  Joe Riggs,Mike Bronzoulis, Chris Lozano, Bryan Travers and Artenas Young and other great talents who will compete in the said show which will start airing on June 19th.

MMA Orient:  Hi, A.J, How is everything going for you and your career?

“Everything is going great right now in my career, since we have talked last I suffered a loss to a seasoned Dom O’grady in Bellator MMA at the Ceaser’s Palace in Windsor, Canada. The loss was difficult for me to accept, but as a professional, in this game, things like this are going to happen. In preperation for that fight I had the opportunity to film a Sherdog.com Prospect watch series that turned out great!

After the O’grady fight, it was all eyes and preparation on the reality show. I had a great camp preparing for this tournament, I was working with my team and fight family Alliance Training Center in Chula Vista, CA where I am closely watched by head coach Eric Del Fierro, assistant coaches Adrian Melendrez and George Castro among my mentors and teammates. I made one addition to my preparation and that was bringing on Phil Davis’ strength and conditioning coach Chad Macias. I am a lucky guy to have the coaching staff that I have and I am even a luckier guy to have my favorite fighter/mentor Brandon Vera watching over me as well.”

Matthews is a very promising fighter who looks to keep his fights standing. He shows a nice straight right, good kicks from both legs and is a heavy-handed puncher with definite finishing power on his feet.

MMA Orient: You are one of the casts of Bellator’s first-ever reality show called, “Fight Masters”. Can you tell us a bit about the show? Does Fight Masters exactly the same as UFC’s TUF? What is the difference of it compared to TUF?

“Showing up in New Orleans for the show was awesome! I have already fought in New Orleans where I had the greatest moment thus far in my MMA career, the knockout of Charlie Rader. If you havn’t see it yet, please youtube “sick soccer kick K.O”, having this memory of fighting in New Orleans I had a good feeling about competing here again.

The only part of the trip that I can talk about is before any filming started. I land in New Orleans and wait for a shuttle to the hotel, somehow I am standing with Rob Mills, Cole Williams, Nick Barnes and I can’t remember who else, but we weren’t allowed to talk to each other. The silent game was played for a week in separate hotel rooms all the way till the weight cut. As soon as we arrived at our hotel rooms the producers took my book “Gates of Fire” and my phone, I was stuck watching “Heat” with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. The biggest difference between Fight Master and the other show is that the fighters pick their teams, and the fighters pick their fights.”

MMA Orient: There are several big names who joined the show such as Joe Riggs,Mike Bronzoulis, Chris Lozano, Bryan Travers and Artenas Young. Do you think you got what it takes to beat these guys and win the $100,000 grand prize?

I wouldn’t have signed up to do the reality show, I wouldn’t have signed my contract with Bellator MMA, I wouldn’t waste my time training every day, dealing with the pain, if I didn’t know in my head and my heart that I belong to be there. I would put myself up against anybody in the world, and I am so happy that Bellator MMA, Bjorn Rebney, Sam Caplan, Zac Light, all were able to bring together a group of fighters that can scrap! This is why we do it!

MMA Orient: What do you think is your biggest advantage to other fighters who are competing in this show?

The biggest advantage that I have over the rest of the cast is that the way I fight is scary, I throw power, I am technical, capable of wrestling and grappling. I have been training to be here for 10 years now, I used to help Jason Lambert get ready for King of the Cage fights in a garage when I was in high school. I am an up and comer with something to prove, and I am willing to put everything on the line in order to make it.

MMA Orient: What can your fight fans expect from AJ Matthews throughout the show? 

I am exactly who I am, people can expect to see one of the last of a dying breed.

Follow A.J Matthews on Twitter: @AJ_MMA

Follow me on Twitter: @zikeyorient

Also, check out AJ Matthews official Facebook fan page: Here

PHOTOS: Opening – Team Lakay La Trinidad Gym & Welcoming Honorio “The Rock” Banario.

Pioneers of MMA – Founder and Head Coach of Team Lakay Mark Sangiao “The Machine” (2nd to the right) inaugurates the newly opened gym at La Trindad, Benguet and welcomes the One Fc World Feather Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario on Febuary 09, 2013.

Left to Right: Doc dave taclobao, Eduard ‘The Landslide’ Folayang (2nd to the left), Marquez Sangiao and Kevin Belingon.

The newly opened gym is located at 2F Pines Valley Plaza, Km. 4, La Trinidad, Benguet.

For more information about MMA in the Philippines.

Log on to: http://mmaorient.net/

Photos by: Alankar Rai

More photos to be published.

Honorio Banario and Eric Kelly, Post One FC 7: More than just a trivial chat

Feature Story. Sev BJr a.k.a. Zilvidu, chief photographer  for mmaorient.net talked to Honorio Banario and Eric Kelly, what both fighters had to say after One FC Return of Warriors.

The One FC 7 Return of Warriors is just about five days ago from today, and OneFC 8 Kings and Champions more or less 58 days away; I don’t think it’s too late to still talk about the past. Read to the end  of this and you might even get a glimpse into the future.

I had the opportunity to have a post-fight chat with both fighters about their thoughts on what transpired inside the One FC cage last February 2 and some other nontrivial information. As reported first by mmamania.com, Eric Kelly was very determined to go into the fight even with a leg injury that he sustained during training, one week before the fight. Eric said that he felt the pain on his right-shin injury as early as the first round when it got into contact during striking exchanges with Honorio.

“I felt pain in my right shin, but of course I didn’t want to make it obvious to Honorio.” –Eric Kelly

Eric also said that his right eye’s CT scan after his previous fight, showed a broken facial bone as it was shut close in his Dec 2012 URCC fight against Brad Terrey. He ignored the doctor’s advise and wanted to take the fight with Honorio. He was cleared to fight at OneFC 7 because his vision has healed just 10 days after his fight at URCC Dekada.
“When Honorio hit my right eye, my vision in both eyes turned black for about 20 seconds. I couldn’t see anything.”  Eric said, as I asked what happened in the 4th round when the fight ended.

Eric mentioned though, that he’s not taking anything away from Honorio and he’s not making any excuses. He says congratulations to the Champ and he knows that “Honorio did his best and deserves to be the ONEFC champion.”

Eric Kelly’s first loss in his career came via TKO against countryman Honorio Banario

He said that a lesson learned from this first loss of his career is that he will make sure that he is 100% ready before stepping into the cage again. His Boss at Muayfit gym, owner Paul Teo concurs, “Health always comes first before the fight. Eric is human, not machine. He shouldn’t take any more fights until he’s 100% fit again. We all love Eric Kelly and we don’t want to see anything bad happen to him.”

Honorio Banario in a ground-and-pound action after taking down Eric Kelly.

Initial post-fight comments and reports earlier said that Eric seemed to have been poked in the eye, I asked Honorio about what happened towards the end and he said “He (Kelly) leaned toward my punch, and I caught him, so it wasn’t a poke. It was a punch that landed and caused a cut under his right eye and dazed him.”

Honorio appeared to be strong at fight night, despite his rapid dehydration during the weigh-ins, the day before the fight. He struggled to meet the Featherweight limit and had to sit in the sauna in order to make weight, which he did. “I will see to it that I watch my weight-reduction next time and put my diet in-check.”

The champion said he wasn’t worried about dehydrating because Team Lakay’s entourage had a nurse who can rehydrate him through Intravenous (IV) fluids. “I didn’t want to waste all our efforts (in training) and I didn’t want to disappoint the fans so I really pushed myself to make weight.”

Honorio Banario and Coach Mark Sangiao

Honorio appeared to be strong at fight night, despite his rapid dehydration during the weigh-ins, the day before the fight. He struggled to meet the Featherweight limit and had to sit in the sauna in order to make weight, which he did. “I will see to it that I watch my weight-reduction next time and put my diet in-check.”

The champion said he wasn’t worried about dehydrating because Team Lakay’s entourage had a nurse who can rehydrate him through Intravenous (IV) fluids. “I didn’t want to waste all our efforts (in training) and I didn’t want to disappoint the fans so I really pushed myself to make weight.”

Finally, I pointed out to Honorio that in the OneFC 7 fight card, the other Featherweight matches also ended with remarkable results. I asked him questions which I believe will be asked from him sooner or later anyway,
“IF it were up to you, who do you think should be the first challenger to your belt?”
Of which he replied, as I expected, a confident and politically correct answer
“I will take on all comers, I’m always ready.”
and then I couldn’t resist the urge and asked,
“Your only loss came from  Bae Young Kwon, would you think he deserves to be the first challenger to your belt?”. As a true warrior that he is, he didn’t hesitate to say
“Yes, because I also want to have a rematch with him (Bae Young Kwon)”.  So there you have it Fight boss, the Champ says he wants it too!

I congratulated The Champion, and thanked him for his time. We ended the conversation with Honorio saying “I just want to say thank you to everyone for the support you’ve given me. Thank you to my family, friends, Team Lakay, and to my great coach Mark Sangiao. I will have a rest for two-weeks, go for light training and get back to the gym soon!”

“Thank you for this interview manong.”

The Inaugural One Fighting Championship Featherweight Champion, Honorio “The Rock” Banario

 

Follow @Sev_BJr on Twitter

Harris “The Hitman” Sarmiento is back to defend his PXC Lightweight Championship at PXC 35!

Here’s the official press release:

PXC is set to rock Manila AGAIN on February 16th, featuring a Lightweight Championship & some of the best rising stars of MMA from the Philippines, Guam, California, Hawaii, Japan, & Korea.

For people who can’t get enough of action, there’s nothing better than watching a good old fashioned brawl. Come February 16, there is going to be plenty of that and more inside the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City as the Pacific X-treme Combat, Asia Pacific’s biggest and best mixed martial arts organization, once again rolls into the country with PXC-35.

PXC has already established a name throughout Asia Pacific and its arrival in the Philippines last June 2011 cemented their reign as the premiere MMA organization by attracting the best fighters from the all over the world. With its most recent installment, PXC again makes its way to the Philippines to put a show in front of thousands of MMA fanatics.

“We are very excited to kick off the year with great matchups at PXC-35 in the Philippines,” says PXC CEO, EJ Calvo. “The card features fighters from all over the world along with rising MMA talent from the Philippines,” Calvo adds.

PXC-35 scheduled 9 action-packed fights to be headlined by a Lightweight title fight between Filipino talents Harris “The Hitman” Sarmiento (35-24) and Isaiah Ordiz (2-0). Coming off a disappointing loss to fellow Filipino-American Mark “Mugen” Striegl in PXC-34 last November, the veteran Sarmiento is set to bounce back and defend his belt against the young blood, Ordiz. This is surely a battle between a veteran and future star of the sport.

In addition, the match between American Alvin Cacdac (11-9) and undefeated Hawaiian Louis “Da Last Samurai” Smolka also draws attention primarily because the winner will most likely be the next contender for the Flyweight title currently held by Filipino fighter Ale “The Young Gun” Cali.

The PXC-35 fight card also includes Team Lakay’s Troy Bantiag (4-1) vs. Guam’s Tony Reyes (5-5), Japanese Chuji Kato (3-1) vs. Korean Top Team’s Hong Seung Chan (2-0), and Hawaiian Ronald Jhun (24-24) vs. Swede Zebastian Kadestam (3-0).

Other homegrown Filipino talents featured on the night are Dario Banario (2-0) vs. Joseph Mercado (1-1), Ruel Catalan (1-2) vs. Ernesto Montilla Jr. (0-1), Adrian Hillana (1-0) vs. Steve Grandeza (0-1), and Glenn Ranillo (1-2) vs. Mark Billena.

PXC-35 expects nothing but fireworks all night as fighters punch, kick and sprawl their way all for the glory of being crowned PXC victors. “We hope to see everyone at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on the 16th of February and we promise you that it is going to be an exciting night of fights,” Calvo says.

Pacific X-treme Combat will hold the following events at the Holiday Inn Manila Hotel in Pasig City

PRESS CONFERENCE

• Date: February 14, 2013
• Venue: Fab Restaurant
• Call time: 10:30am
• Time: 11am-1pm

WEIGH IN

• Date: February 15, 2013
• Venue: Bar One, Holiday Inn Manila Galleria, ADB Avenue, Ortigas, Pasig City
• Call time: 10:30am
• Time: 11am-1pm

PXC-35 is presented by San Mig Strong Ice and Sports 5. With special thanks to E-Games, Fitness First, FHM Philippines, FHM.com.ph, Premiere Condoms, Healthway Agility Phil, Beer Below Zero, Eden NightClub, Real Sports Radio, and Loqal.ph.

For more information on PXC, check out www.pxc.com.ph or www.facebook.com/pxcmma.

9-Year-Old Boy Rear Naked Choke A Pitbull

Now here is one submission most top level Black Belts (or even Red Belts) have never been able to achieve. What is it?

It’s the Rear Naked Choke of a Pit Bull Terrier. Yes, you read that right.

In this video, a little young boy (the practitioner is only aged 9) describes how he chokes a Pit Bull Terrier in order to save a young girl who was being mauled by the dog when they went walking one day.

He explains how he learnt the technique from his local BJJ academy and how it saved the little girl’s life.

PXC 35: Ronald ‘Machine Gun’ Jhun “Age Is Just A Number And I feel I’m At The Peak Of My Career.”

Ron Jhun with KOTC and IFC belts.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is truly a tough sport. You must work your butt off inside and outside the gym, sometimes you are forced to train far off from your loved ones, must be disciplined on the food that you eat and it takes a lot of determination to keep your hunger for this sport. But in the end of the day, those sacrifices you have made can be replaced by satisfaction because win or lose, if you know that you gave your all in a fight, you won’t regret anything.

Some fights for fame and fortune, but in the case of Ronald “Machine Gun” Jhun, fighting is not just to earn money or to become famous; to him, fighting is more than material things, in his understanding, being an MMA fighter is a way of life, it is doing whatever it takes to get to the top.

Ron Jhun has been in the business for 15 years now. He has already fought in the world’s biggest MMA promotions such as Shooto, Strikeforce KOTC and UFC. He has fought some of the dangerous fighters in the fight business. He holds a win over the man who invented the Von Flue Choke, Jason Von Flue, former UFC lightweight contender, Joe “Daddy” Stevenson, Shannon Ritch and many other top ranked fighters in the world today.

Jhun’s last MMA appearance was against A Sol Kwon in 2010 at HEAT 16, losing his Korean foe via 2^nd round submission. He then decided to rest for a while to spend time with his wife, kids and grandchild.

I guess if you really love this sport, even though you’ve been out for a while, there will always be a part of you that pushes you to train and fight again. That’s why on February 16, better watch out, because “Machine Gun” is making his return at PXC 35 against Legacy Boracay’s Zebaztian Kadestam.

Here’s our interview with one of Hawaii’s Pride, Ronald “Machine Gun” Jhun.

MMA Orient: For the sake of PXC fans in the Philippines who don’t know much about you, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Machine Gun:

My name is Ronald Jhun a.k.a Machine Gun – Born and raised in Hawaii, been fighting MMA since 1998. I fought in the UFC, Strikeforce, Shooto Japan, Superbrawl, King Of The Cage and many more fighting organizations around the world. I’m a former King of the Cage Welterweight Champion.

MMA Orient: You have been fighting for almost 16 years now. What kept you to stay motivated in the sport of MMA?

Machine Gun:

Well, upon discovering MMA, I used to get in trouble a lot and needed something to keep me out of trouble. Since then I got Married to my beautiful wife Kim had 5 beautiful kids and now a grandchild, I’m truly blessed. They are my inspiration to continue to do what I do, along with my students and fans.

MMA Orient: You are fighting on February 16 at PXC 35 against a top welterweight prospect, Zebaztian Kadestam. Give us your thoughts on your next opponent.

Machine Gun:

I saw him fight at PXC 34, he looks like he’s well rounded should make for a good fight.

MMA Orient: This is going to be your first fight since 2010. Can you tell us something about your preparations going to this fight?

Machine Gun:

Training pretty much the same as usual, just adding in some strength and conditioning and a lot of timing.

MMA Orient: What do you think will be your biggest advantage against Kadestam?

Machine Gun:

Definitely my experience will be an advantage over him. Just need to stay focused on the task at hand.

MMA Orient: What holes do you see in Kadestam’s game?

Machine Gun:

Didn’t really get to see any holes in his game but noticed he has some wrestling and ground experience and likes the ground.

MMA Orient: You are training at 808 Top Team in Hawaii with some of the best fighters in the business. What is it like for you to be a part of a fight team that includes PXC lightweight champion Harris Sarmiento, Louis Smolka, Russel Doane and many other talented fighters over there?

Machine Gun:

Well, to be honest, I’m the founder of 808 Fight Factory and now 808 Top Team. So I’m pretty much the leader of this stable of talented fighters. It’s an honor and privilege to train with so many talented fighters.

MMA Orient: Could you tell us more about 808 Top Team’s fighters program and how it has elevated your overall game?

Machine Gun:

Training with 808 Top Team on a daily basis is a plus because you need to bring your “A” game every time you train. The energy in the gym is at a high level and it’s what we need. We train stand up as well the ground game from boxing and kickboxing to wrestling to grappling.

MMA Orient: How has being with 808 Top Team changed you as a person and as a fighter?

Machine Gun:

Well, I’m pretty much the leader of this team and lead by example. My experiences are a testimony to my team.

MMA Orient: What’s your favorite strike/submission to use in any fight?

Machine Gun:

Striking then ground and pound.

MMA Orient: Who is your biggest inspiration?

Machine Gun:

My kids, training partners then my fans.

MMA Orient: Do you like to stand with your opponents or take them to the ground?

Machine Gun:

I like to stand up first then ground and pound second.

MMA Orient: I know that in this sport, age does not matter. But are there any moments where your wife asked you on when are you going to retire?

Machine Gun:

Not just yet. I feel there is a lot left in me to compete. Age is just a number and I feel I’m at the peak of my career; just need to stay focus.

MMA Orient: If you weren’t a pro fighter, what do you think you’ll be doing for a living?

Machine Gun:

I’m a sheet metal worker by trade for the past 24 years.

MMA Orient: We all know that all fighters have a busy schedule but for sure there are things you love outside the gym and cage. What does Ron Jhun do in his free time?

Machine Gun:

Outside of training and fighting I like to spend time with my 5 kids and grand child, surfing and golfing are my other hobbies when I have the time.

MMA Orient: What can your fans expect from you on Feb. 16 against Zebaztian Kadestam?

Machine Gun:

Expect fireworks cause I’m coming there with both guns blazing.

MMA Orient: Any sponsors/people you want to thank?

Machine Gun:

First off I’d like to thank God first and foremost my wife and kids for always being by my side, my team 808 Top Team without these guys I would be inspired to do what I do, my fans special thanks to Iridium Sports Agency, Hawaiian Fight Gear, Island Athletes, 808 Top Team, Powerhouse MMA, War Horse, MMA Hawaii, Fiah, Oica, Almighty, Ltd., Dr. James Okamoto Ltd, Mentom, AGN, Alliance.