Fury III electrifies Saipan

The Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium was packed Saturday night as fans and curious individuals filled the seats to witness Fury III: Fighting Islands Saipan unleash its no-holds barred, mixed martial arts bouts that drew cheers and jaw-dropping reactions from all in attendance.

In all, eight bouts and one exhibition match, featuring 18 determined fighters, took the spotlight during their time in the caged spiketagon situated at the center of the gym.

All fighters made their way to the cage for a brief introduction, and after being held up in a long line just to enter the premises, the crowd finally got what it went there for when Justin Cruz and Justin Ulloa, both from Guam, kicked things off fighting like there was no tomorrow.

Cruz had his moments, landing several punches and elbows to Ulloa’s head, but Ulloa quickly turned things around and swung the fight to his favor, taking Cruz to the ground and bruising his opponent with an array of punches and elbows.

The bout went the distance, however, Ulloa earned the panel of judges’ nod.

“Its very important to stay relax and not panic [when you’re on the bottom on the ground], you can’t gas out,” Ulloa said after his match. “It’s a bad position but it was okay. I didn’t really train for this. I feel kind of bad because I took this kind [of beating] from him…I’m happy for the win but it could’ve been better. Everything could’ve been better.”

The second bout pitted Rota’s pride Jay Villanueva taking on Saipan’s Roman Kapileo, who came out storming at the start of the fight, swinging and landing several punches to the head before Villanueva landed a powerful kick that knocked Kapileo to the mat.

The 20-year-old Villanueva then used his quickness and began landing punches left and right to take the win.

“It was good and I just took my time in there and he was pounding me hard, but I just try to make him lose stamina,” Villanueva said. “You have to be patient and be smart and think what you’re going to do but think fast. I pray to God and ask for a miracle and he gave it to me.”

Villanueva also took time to express appreciation to his sponsors Pete Dela Cruz, Fotten Gaga, Purebred, Fakai, brother Pat Ayuyu, Rep. Crispin Ogo, and Victor Hocog for witnessing the bout.

“I thank my fans back on Rota. I love them, all the people even on Saipan,” he said.

Also victorious was Chris Duenas, who dominated against fellow Guamanian Darren Cruz before the referee stopped the fight.

After taking Cruz down to the mat, Duenas unleashed his fury with a bunch of knee blows and punches that left Cruz with a bloody face.

Duenas continued to pound mercilessly and eventually won in the second round.

Saipan favorite Cuci Alvarez also took center stage in a grappling exhibition against Joey Lopez.

The duel quickly went to the ground, where Alvarez got Lopez to tap out with a mount choke in the first round.

Making sure the crowd will remember his name, Guam’s Terrence Aflague lifted opponent Jake Ishikawa, took a couple of steps just to make sure he’ll have great positioning, then slammed Ishikawa to the ground.

Fortunately for Ishikawa, he managed to get back to his feet. Ishikawa’s elbow was bleeding after the first round, and Aflague continued to own the fight, quickly bagging the win when the referee stepped in and called it off in the second round.

The crowd finally got a chance to see heavyweight action, which kicked off with Mark Duenas getting Rudy Camacho to tap out in the first round. The two fought on their feet for most parts before Duenas worked Camacho to the ground, where Camacho quickly tapped out.

Jason Johnson then followed with another win after pounding away on Donovan Kapileo, who sustained a cut to the top of his right eye. Kapileo wouldn’t give in, however, with his eye bleeding so much and Johnson remaining strong on the other corner, the referee stepped in and awarded Johnson the win.

Guam police officer Manny Chong then stunned the crowd, going up against 345-lb. Dean Kapileo.

Kapileo put up a good fight at the start. However, the 240-lb. Chong landed a lot of big punches that stung Kapileo before the referee stepped in.

Chong celebrated by raising both hands while standing on top of the cage.

He expressed disappointment after the match.

“I guess it was an okay performance,” Chong said. “I didn’t use all my tools, I didn’t even unleash my left hand…I really wanted to but it was a short fight and I couldn’t use all my tools. It lasted longer than expected.”

The cheers of the crowd then nearly blew off the roof of the gym, roaring in cheers when Tetsuji Kato, originally from Japan but now representing Saipan, made his way toward the cage to take on David Padilla of Hawaii in the main event.

Kato, who entered with a 17-5 record in professional fights, managed to take Padilla to the ground, landed a series of punches to Padilla’s head.

Padilla managed to block several blows and tried to get back on his feet.

The match finally ended when Kato successfully executed a rear-naked choke, forcing Padilla to tap out.