Manglona strikes gold in Jiu-Jitsu tourney in Korea
Saipan’s Keli “Rukus” Manglona took home two gold medals and a silver in the 2011 Adidas Cup Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament held over the weekend in Seoul, South Korea.
Manglona won gold medals in both Gi and No-Gi Absolute BJJ Purple Belt divisions at 180 lbs before taking home the silver the 180-lb BJJ Purple Belt level.
The event was held at HeukSeok Gymnasium and organized and supervised by the Korea BJJ Federation under International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation rules.
Manglona is expected to remain in Korea to prepare for his Deep Mayhem Fighting Mixed Martial Arts bout against local bet Hee Seung Kim (2-0) of Team Posse.
“This is going to be exciting because we are both undefeated,” stated Manglona in an email on Monday.
Manglona currently holds a flawless MMA win-loss record of 3-0.
After his bout in South Korea, Manglona will return to the Marianas to go toe to toe against Guam’s Ryan “Biggs” Biglar (7-2) in Pacific Xtreme Combat’s PXC 27 event scheduled for Oct. 29 at the University of Guam Fieldhouse.
Manglona is fighting for the No. 1 contender spot in PXC’s welterweight division.
This is a vacant title and a win by Manglona would put him in a position to face the winner of the fight between Korean Top Team’s Hyun Gyu “The Ace” Lim (7-3-1) and Tunisia’s Ferrid “The Hurricane” Kheder (18-7).
After PXC 27, Manglona plans to visit Saipan to compete in Trench Tech Purebred Promotions’ Trench Warz 15: Supremacy tentatively scheduled for Dec. 16, 2011. His opponent has not yet been determined.
“Let’s just say I’m looking forward to putting on a show on an island near you,” Manglona added.