The RullodaBros Lifestyle: URCC Domination: Hideo and Sindikato

Alvin utilizing his array of kicks to ward off a charging Morikawa.

While one bout shone light to the brightness of a scene geared towards evolution, another provided a distant reminder of how it was done during its inception.

The young guns displayed hunger and determination. Their skills matched with youth and the drive to be recognized bestowed upon them the torch they have to carry in the years to come. On the flipside is a pair of warriors who have gone on the same path, now in the climactic stages of their pugilistic careers.

On several occasions, it seemed headed towards a finish. However, both had no quit in them.

The epic battle of The Death from Tokyo versus Sindikato earned them a piece of MMA history when they fought for the URCC Flyweight title last 25^th of July 2015.

This wasn’t merely a battle for the belt. For both fighters it was reaching the summit of a treacherous climb. Alvin “Sindikato” Ramirez was an alumnus of the URCC University Challenge – the grassroots program that led to the discovery of many Pinoy MMA fighters today. He was a kid with full potential and bright future. A mix of ring savvy, crisp striking and that devil may care attitude with complete disregard for the outcome as long as it turns into a good scrappy slugfest.

Hideo is well known for his leg and foot attacks. Here he executes a straight footlock on Ramirez.

Hideo “Death from Tokyo” Morikawa has been a URCC veteran in its early years. From a strict karate base, his quickness and agility complimented his straight punches and pointed elbows. Most of his victims ended up either with lacerated faces (because of elbows) or extremely inflamed profiles. What set him apart from other fighters is his strong mental toughness. His ability to zone out helps him increase his pain threshold and absorb punishment while inflicting a barrage of his own.

Both Alvin and Hideo earned the respect of fans and their peers. Even during setbacks in their careers, their resilience never faded. As time allowed them to mature and improve their craft, it was a fitting culmination that they faced each other inside the cage for a strap that deserved them both.

Alvin had his shining moments in the submission department as well. Above is a well timed triangle choke on Hideo.

For five rounds they traded punches, kicks, elbows and submissions. All traded with the intention to hurt, every inch was clawed and paid for. In the end, there had to be a winner, on this night it was Hideo’s time to rule the division.

A heel hook from Morikawa while Ramirez refused to tap.

Perhaps what was endearing about the dogfight was the connection the fighters had with the fans. All that followed the URCC through the years saw the development of Alvin and Hideo with every event they fought in. From their immature tendencies and reckless abandon during their early years; viewers were treated to a display of grown men who grew up in the hurt business. Their match exhibited the technical maturity one will show through years of training and the toughness of the era which molded them.

They showed everyone how it was done during the earlier years. When submission attempts were answered with punches and kicks- not escapes, when joint locks were ignored simply because nothing was broken, when two people would stand in front of each other and just slug it out until someone falls face flat on the floor and when the desire to win mattered more than the adoration of the crowd.