Baptism of fire for 22 fighters in ‘ROP- 5’

Twenty-two of the 40 fighters featured in “Rites of Passage V: Raging Warriors” will be making their debuts on Sept. 27 at the Trench Tech Gym in Afetnas.

Promoter and Trench Tech Inc. president Justis F. “Cuki” Alvarez said some of the new grapplers are fighting independently.

A total of 20 bouts are slated for the mixed martial arts event, including the main event between Derick “Pinchi” Rangamar of Marianas Elite and Chris “No Luv” Laayug of Trench Tech in the 140-lb. weight class.

Laayug has a slight edge with his 3-1 win-loss record while Rangamar (2-2) is aiming to pullout an upset.

Jayson Teregoyo and Jerome Fujihara of Trench Tech will taste their first cage fight against separate opponents in the 135-lb. division.

Teregoyo will face “No” Angel Santos while Fujihara will test Gregory Camacho. Both Santos and Camacho have 0-1 records.

In the 130-lb bout, Roman “Boom” Alvarez of Trench Tech will also debut against Raegan Mality (0-1) of Team Pwang.

In the 125 lbs., Jess Santos (0-1) of Team Predators takes on another newcomer Eric Torres of Trench Tech, while in the 135-lb. weight category, Jerold Michael debuts against Alverick “Pretty Boy” Alvarez (1-0) of Trench Tech.

One of the most experience fighters in the fold would be Shane “Pika Boo” Alvarez of Trench Tech who has a clean 3-0 record.

Pika Boo will be fighting at 130 lbs. against 133-pounder Sefich Lorenzo, who is also a rookie in the octagon.

Another Trench Tech fighter is 150-lb. T.J. “Ying Yang” Castro, who has a 1-0 record. He will go up against a heavier opponent in the person of Joe Cabrera who tips the scales at 155 lbs.

The heaviest weight class is 195 lbs. with Shawn Ogo of Team Haga squaring off against fellow newcomer V.J. Tenorio of Trench Tech

Completing the tentative fight cards are the following:

– Rayson Ray (0-1), 150 lbs. vs. Fal Arriola, D.A.T. Gym (debut), 150 lbs.;

– Martin Castro (0-2), Trench Tech, 175 lbs. vs. Chris Myers (0-2), Zalaka 150 lbs.;

– Larry Angui (0-1), Streetfight, 180 lbs. vs. Joe Ngiraibuuch (1-0), Trench Tech, 180 lbs.;

– Mark ‘The Dark’ Nuque (debut) Trench Tech, 160 lbs. vs. Derrec Chen (0-1), Zalaka, 155 lbs.;

– Ryan Ngirbabul (debut), Trench Tech, 155 lbs. vs. Sal Limes (0-1), Freestyle, 155 lbs.;

– Bryan Castro (debut), Streetfight, 125 lbs. vs. Robert A. Baza (debut) MTM Guam;

– Jamie Hermosila (1-0), Dry Cleaners, 140 lbs. vs. James Castro (debut), Boxing, 145 lbs.;

– Edwin ‘Styx’ Castro Jr. (debut), 175 lbs. vs. Sanderson Sebuu (debut), Xtreme, 175 lbs.;

– Ben Taisacan (debut), Freestyle, 190 lbs. vs. Robert “Pitbull” Palacios (0-4), South Syde Syndicates, 190 lbs.;

– Jordan Ogo (debut), Team Haga, 128 lbs. vs. Raymond C. Deluma (debut), 125lbs.; and

– Dexter Tenorio (debut), Pinoy Fighter, 145 lbs. vs. Ed Palma (debut), Cagers.-