MMA in the Philippines

People have engaged in mortal combat long before the inception of the sport itself. It is a technical test of a man’s rapidity, might, endurance, sharpness of the mind and body, limberness, and rhythm of movements. Mixed martial arts has become a massive trend in America for a long time now because of its rawness-- pure and simple.  It is the explosive combination of both boxing and professional wrestling, and so much more. 

Mixed martial arts in the Philippines is trapped in a continuous stage of progress. Boxing is still the nation’s pride and joy. One can indubitably hear the names “Pacquiao, Manny, or Pacman” just about everywhere in the Philippines. Only in the metropolitan would the names “George St. Pierre, Randy Couture, or Anderson Silva” be heard… and these MMA fighters are not even Filipinos. The Philippines still does not have a mixed martial arts fighter that is as stupendous and famous as Manny Pacquiao and that is why MMA is not a popular sport here. The closest thing the country has is Brandon Vera from UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), but only a small number of Filipinos has even heard of him. 

One of the topmost leagues here is the URCC (Universal Reality Combat Championship) that has been going for almost eight years now and it has not surfaced to be a Filipino craze yet. The athletes are not the ones to be blamed for in this situation. In fact, there are numerous unheard talents that had won Sanshou gold medals in the 25^th Southeast Asian Games in Laos. Team Lakay (Lakay MMA Tap Team Incorporated), a four year old, well-known group in the little world of Philippine MMA, has an outstanding record of wins, including the sea games. Team Lakay is based in Baguio City and has contended and won in several competitions including in the URCC. Where were the adoring Filipino supporters when needed?

Filipinos who engage in mixed martial arts are the ones who have the extra time and ready money to watch MMA events and enroll in a MMA gym. Dearth of affluence is one of the impediments of the country; the masses cannot get involved with the sport because of it.

Mixed martial arts can be just as colossal as it is in other countries. If it only had more support and funds, perhaps some of the deserving contenders can be in the big leagues.