MMA fighters ready for ROP VI

Two mixed martial arts fighters from Guam who will be fighting in the semi and main events of Rites of Passage VI: Conviction tonight expressed optimism about their chances against their separate foes from Saipan.

The fights, jointly sponsored by Docomo and Miller Lite, will be held at the Royal Taga Hall of the Saipan World Resort starting at 7 pm with an entry fee of $20.

“My chances are good,” said Ryan “The Dentist” Urquizu during the official weigh-in yesterday at The Flair Bar in Garapan, where Trench Tech Inc. president and promoter Cuki Alvarez explained the official MMA rules and regulations to 28 fighters.

Urquizu, who has a 12-4 win-loss record, will go up against Saipan’s Maitai “The Charger” Charley in the main event.

Charley, who has a 3-4 record and representing Marianas Elite, was unavailable for comment as of presstime along with the other Saipan fighter for the semi main event, Syl “The Deal” Teregeyo.

Teregeyo, who also comes from Marianas Elite, has a 4-3 record.

His opponent will be Hosea Ware from Guam’s Ground-Fu.

The 19-year-old Ware has a 5-1 record and is fighting for the first time outside of Guam.

“I am a last-minute replacement but I have been training regularly and I am confident to win this one,” said Ware, who idolizes UFC’s Quintin Jackson.

Four other match-ups between fighters from Saipan and Guam will spice-up up the event.

Saipan’s Fiden Teregeyo will test the mettle of Guam’s Ray Apiag in the 145 lbs. category. Both players will have their baptism of fire in the octagon cage.

Joe ‘Bad Manners’ Aldan of Saipan will then meet Peter Boy Alvarez of Guam in a battle of first-timers.

Saipan’s Reagan Mality is hoping to score his first win after two unsuccessful attempts against a neophyte from Guam, Robert A. Baza.

One of Saipan’s veterans, Derek “Pinchi” Rangamar will take on Guam’s Tony “The Wreck” Reyes in the 140-lb. bout.

Rangamar has a 3-3 record while Reyes is undefeated in his two previous fights.

The other match-ups are Jacob Ilo Zalaka vs. Jerome Fujihira of Trench Tech; Jordan Ogo of Team Haga vs. Eddie Paulis of Pwang; Stanley Ogo vs. Mark “The Dark” Nuque of Trench Tech; Daniel Ogo of Team Haga vs. Kevin Esteves of Marianas Elite; independent fighter Dino Mettao vs. Seung Min Lee of Trench Tech; E.J. Palacios of DAT Gym vs. Tom “Lites Out” Kim of Trench Tech; Francisco Palacios vs. Martin Ayuyu of Marianas Elite; Rick “Too Slick” San Nicolas of SSS vs. Stanley Tuwun of Team Yap; and Kyle Peterson of Trench Tech USA vs. George Cruz.