Palaxi to challenge Folayang for URCC lightweight belt

Saipan’s Giovanni “Palaxi” Sablan is currently preparing the for biggest fight of his mixed martial arts career.

The Trench Tech fighter will be challenging Filipino MMA sensation Eduard “Landslide” Folayang in a title match slated for July 18 in Manila.

Folayang, who won via TKO with 52 seconds in the first round over Marianas Elite Jerome Norita during last month’s Gorilla Warfare at the Saipan World Resort, is the undisputed champion of the Universal Reality Combat Championship lightweight division.

Cuki Alvarez, president andpromoter of Trench Tech. Inc., said that URRC matchmaker Willy Carlos sent an email asking for a worthy opponent for Folayang, dubbed the “Killa from Manila” after his win over Norita.

Foloyang, who is now 4-0, is a Sansho Karate expert before his transition to MMA.

“I received an email from URCC matchmaker Willy Carlos asking us if we have any tough guys from Saipan who would be willing to take on Foloyang at 160. lbs-169 lbs. In fact, at first, they were very interested in getting Frank “The Crank” Camacho to fight Folayang but Frank actually has an MMA fight in New Jersey and will fight at 155 lbs. this month on the 25th,” said Alvarez.

Alvarez said Sablan became a household name on Saipan after his sterling performance in the PXC 17: Fearless where he beat Guam’s hotshot Robert “The Real Deal” Wusstig.

“Mr.Carlos asked if Gio (Sablan) would be interested in taking the matchup with Foloyang and obviously we are very excited. We had a little dilemma with the weight at first but asked the URCC to have Folayang drop to 155 lbs.,” Alvarez said.

Folayang agreed to the request and the fight was signed, sealed, and delivered.

Alvarez said Sablan will start his training next week and plans on bringing his “A” game to the URCC undefeated fighter.

“I’m definitely going to the Philippines with victory on my mind. I think my experience and fighting style will be very tough for Folayang and I know that my training will pay off,” Sablan told Alvarez.

Sablan holds an impressive record of 15-4 win-loss mark.

“I respect Folayang because of his accomplishments in MMA but I also know what I am capable of doing and that he should not take me lightly.” Sablan said.

“I will fight my heart out and I promise to do my very best,” he said.

Sablan will be flying to the Philippines on July 16 for the event with Trench Tech’s Jason “Rush” Tarkong serving as his corner man.

Sablan is guaranteed to receive $800 with additional $500 if he wins the fight.