Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) has been signing several top fighters in Asian MMA recently. These fighters are Keita “K-Taro” Nakamura (26-5-2), Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi (11-5-1), Patricia “Little” Vidonic (8-6), BJ Penn MMA’s Shane “Suga” Nelson (15-7), and the former URCC Featherweight Champion Will “The Kill” Chope (18-5).
The Guam-based MMA promotion has been the hottest promotion in the Philippines as they have been very successful in their past events in Manila, drawing thousands of fight fans to watch their shows. The fans can expect a lot more exciting and explosive fighters coming in as PXC will keep on signing the most exciting fighters in the region today.
One of the most popular names in Asian MMA has joined PXC as the world’s tallest featherweight fighter, Will “The Kill” Chope brings his talent inside the “Terror Dome”.
“My goal is to get into the UFC. The URCC is not the road that can take me there at this point. The Pacific Xtreme Combat is a proven route that other fighters have used to get there and it will get me there as well. So this is what I am doing, I will fight for the PXC win and wait for that call.”
Chope connects a razor sharp elbow against Jerson Estoro at URCC 20 – Photo by Hochi Abaya
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, Chope is no doubt, the tallest guy in the PXC 145 lbs. division. His size has always been his biggest advantage over his past opponents, whether be it on the feet or ground. He can easily set up his offense by throwing jab to get rid of his opponents’ aggressive styles. When it comes to the ground, Chope is a very dangerous guy as he has been on a tear by winning 10 of his last 13 fights via submission (guillotine choke). He has a good guard and he always look to submit his opponents – that makes him one of the most exciting fighters in Asia today.
Chope started his MMA career at the age of 20. Though he struggled in the first stages of his fighting career, he never gave up; instead, those losses made him more fired up to train in the gym to elevate his game into a whole new level.
“The PXC has the best FW division out of any organization in Asia. That is a fact. People have accused me of taking easy fights and not fighting high level competition. No one can say that now and I will show everyone in the world I am one of the best fighters, not just one of the best in Asia but one of the best in the world.”
Chope has been considered as the busiest fighter in Asia because in the past couple of years, his schedule has been a tight one that every two months he has an upcoming MMA, kickboxing or muay thai fight. In 2011, he fought six times and in 2012, seven. This kid is a monster and a true lover of the sport.
Chope has a notable wins over some of the toughest guys in the region, including his submission wins over Rex De lara, Angelito Manguray and Andrew Benibe. He is also the former URCC Featherweight Champion.
“The Kill” is currently riding an amazing 13-fight win skid and most of those wins are coming by way of either TKO or submission. Chope is definitely on a roll right now and he has intentions on slowing down even just a bit.
In the last PXC event in Pasig City, Philippines, Chope cornered one of his closest friends in the fight business, Mark “Mugen” Striegl. It was a tough night for Striegl and feeling was identical for Chope as he has seen his long-time training partner getting submitted by the South Korean fighter, which gave him the drive to do well in the PXC and looks to challenge Kim for his title in the future.
Photo by Zike Sugawara for MMA Orient
“I was there cage side in Mark’s corner. Mark is one of my best friends, hell he’s my brother and also my idol. So to watch that fight was hard. But at the same time after that fight ended it sparked a fire inside me I haven’t felt in a long time. I want to work my way up the PXC ladder and one day challenge Kim for his title.”
Chope was immediately given a tough task by the PXC officials as they matched him against the Pancrase champion and one of the toughest Japanese fighters in the PXC today, Takumi “Da Japanese Ironman” Nakayama (18-13-6-1).
Chope versus Nakayama is scheduled on the 25th of October in Guam as one of the main card fights of PXC 40. The said event will feature the first-ever title defense of the newly-crowned PXC bantamweight champion, Michinori Tanaka, against one of Guam’s toughest bantamweights, Kyle Aguon.
“Nakayama first thought comes to my mind is he is definitely a seasoned veteran. A lot of fights and been in the MMA Game for over a decade. But out of all the men he has ever faced I can say on thing with confidence. He has never fought someone like me before, and I believe my fight style will give him a lot of problems in the cage.”
“I will be headed to Phuket Top Team next week to finish the last 4 weeks of my fight camp. PTT is one of the best gyms in the world so I want to be training with the best to prepare for Nakayama.” Chope added.
Chope is no doubt, one of the most promising fighters in Asia today. He looks to stay impressive and exciting as he is ready to make his PXC debut on October 25th versus Nakayama. His family and fans are two of the most important factors of his success today and he wants to thank all of them for their undying support.
“Just want to thank the fans for all their love and support. And also want to thanks my sponsors Phuket Pro Nutrition, Vicious Cirlce, and Kombat Mouthguards for their ongoing support of my career.”
Visit www.pxc.com.ph for more info.
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