3 CNMI fighters in PXC 27

 Tinian’s Keli “Rukiz” Manglona of Trench Tech-Zeng Zung will banner a small group of CNMI fighters that will be competing in tomorrow’s Pacific Xtreme Combat 27 at the University of Guam Fieldhouse.

Joining Manglona in PXC 27 are Trench Tech Purebred’s Fasi “Quickdraw” Jesse and Mylo “Bam-Bam” Lassiter. The Tinian fighter will take on Underworld Xtreme-Guahan Top Team’s Ryan “Biggs” Biglar in a welterweight match and will aim to keep his perfect record, which now stands at 6-0.

Biglar will go to tomorrow night’s bout with eight wins and only a couple of defeats. Notably, Biglar has not fought since March 2009 and has stepped away from the octagon after absorbing twin losses.

”I know that Biglar is a fellow Brazialian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt and a former UFC contender who has fought local favorite Frank “The Crank” Camacho in the past. I am also aware of his hiatus and about the losses prior to his time out of the cage, however, I’m not taking him lightly. I’m not going into the fight with any expectations, I’m just going to fight my fight and push the pace,” Manglona said.

“I would like to give some shout outs to everybody back home on Tinian and everybody in the CNMI who has helped me throughout my career. I really appreciate all your support, especially those coming from Josh Castro and the Zeng Zung family,” added Manglona

Manglona said he is ready for the fight, eager, and in good spirits. After the PXC 27, the Tinian bet hopes to land a fight on Saipan in December.

Meanwhile, Jesse will be paired against Korean Top Team’s Jang Yong “The Beast” Kim. Kim holds a 3-4-1 (win-loss-draw) card. He drew Brazil’s Rafael “The Law” Dias (15-8-2) in PXC 24 held in June this year. This will be the Korean’s third PXC appearance, with his debut resulting to second round TKO win over Harris Sarmiento in PXC 22.

Jesse is one of Saipan’s most experienced Mixed Martial Arts practitioners and holds a 7-3 win-loss slate. He has been training for three months for the PXC 27. Notably, both fighters normally fight as lightweights, however the pair will be stepping into the cage as featherweights for tomorrow’s bout.

“I’m ready to rock and roll. I don’t know anything about my opponent, except that he calls himself a beast, and I’m going to bring it to him and see what that’s all about,” said Jesse in a phone interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday.

Trench Tech’s lone heavyweight, Lassiter, will also duel a Korean fighter in Doo Hwan Kim. Lassiter remains flawless after three fights and has yet to be taken into the second round. Kim is also undefeated after two bouts.

“I don’t know much about my opponent at all, but I do know that KTT has built a reputation of developing strong wrestlers. So if that’s where the fight ends up, I’m going to put his ground skills to a test,” said Lassiter in a phone interview yesterday.

Lassiter and Jesse have been training with Spike 22 in Guam for the past few days.

Manglona has been training on Saipan at the Trench Tech Gym for the past week and is expected to arrive in Guam this morning before the weigh-in. All three fighters vowed to represent the CNMI well in PXC 27.