The recently concluded URCC Domination held at the Fontana
Leisure Resort in Clark Pampanga showcased the future of Philippine Mixed
Martial Arts.
Their names: CJ De Tomas and Carlo Laurel
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| CJ and Carlo in action. |
CJ is the son of URCC veteran Charles De Tomas and trains
under De Tomas MMA while Carlo Laurel is an alumnus of the URCC University
Challenge and trains under Ronin BJJ. Both started their careers at a young
age. Both excelled individually in their amateur striking and grappling careers
and as fate would put it, they were bound to cross paths and face each other
inside the URCC cage.
It was a clash of opposites. The display of how yin and yang
would match up if they were not in harmony. On one side is a quiet, soft spoken
young man who has faced adversity head on and emerged victorious with sheer
grit and balls to the wall attitude towards fighting. The opposing side offers
a flashy, charismatic borderline cocky gangster that throws punches with his
fists and his mouth.
They fought relentlessly for three action packed rounds.
Threw bombs at each other with unforgiving intention, slipped and slide during
every scramble and displayed a relentless pace that could only be seen in high
level fighters. At the end of the final round, after the decision was read, CJ
came out victorious.
This duel had “Fight of the Night” written all over it and
both fighters delivered.
CJ and Carlo showcased what a complete Pinoy MMA fighter
should be. Both displayed how a good combination of stand-up and grappling
skills can shape the complexion of a fight. Even as the fight went to the
ground, both scrappers displayed high level Jiujitsu in terms of guard
recovery, transitioning from one position to another and setting up
opportunities to strike.
They were both technical and tactical. CJ would use the cage
during clinches and lean on his opponent to apply pressure. This also allows
him to be in a good position for a level change when he goes for a single
and/or a double leg take down. His counter-punching came in handy when Carlo would charge forward and start his barrage. His wrestling base also came in
handy while in top position while smothering Laurel.
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| Half guard maintenance and CJ would transition to north south and land more punches. |
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| CJ De Tomas had better timing and well executed punches. |
Carlo on the other hand utilized his flexibility in order to
get out of tight situations. His vast grappling experiences have helped him
defend well when CJ got his back complimented by a ground and pound game that
combines punching and covering the mouth of his opponent (sneaky but legal).
His quick hands were able to land good combinations all throughout and his
flamboyance and cage antics added flavor to an already entertaining fight.
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| Keeping calm and composed while escaping a RNC attempt. |
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They are at the peaking stages of their young professional
careers. There is a vast opportunity for improvement available to both
fighters. Hopefully they stay hungry and never entertain the thought of
believing their own legend.
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| CJ De Tomas came out with the judges nod that night. |
CARLO LAUREL.
Remember their names.
Cheer them on.
Follow their careers.
Wish they fight again :)
ps. photos are taken from The Food Grappler's account. check him out and give it a Like
https://www.facebook.com/thefoodgrappler
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