Manglona delivers in PXC debut

Trench Tech’s Jordan “The Machine” Manglona is trapped by a rear-naked choke from Scott Eclavea during their flyweight bout in PXC 52 last Friday at the University of Guam Calvo Field House. Manglona managed to break free and beat Eclavea via split decision.
(Pacific Xtreme Combat Photo)

Trench Tech’s Jordan “The Machine” Manglona made the grade in his Pacific Xtreme Combat debut after winning against Guam Muay Thai’s Scott Eclavea in PXC 52 last Friday at the University of Guam Calvo Field House.

Manglona used his better stand-up fighting skills to pull off a split decision victory against Eclavea.

“My strategy was really to stay up on my feet because Scott is a known ground fighter. I trained and worked hard on my stand-up fighting skills for three months. I tried hard to get away from his hold and threw punches and kicks,” said Manglona, who appeared in several kickboxing bouts on Saipan before making his first MMA appearance in PXC.

The flyweight was pinned down by Eclavea a couple of times and there was one point in the second round that the latter nearly stopped the former via rear-naked choke. However, Manglona knew how to get out of trouble in time as RNC is his specialty. Once he maneuvered out of Eclavea’s hold and stood up, Manglona punished his foe with a string of body punches

At the end of the excruciating three-round bout, Manglona said it was too close to call although he thought he was up on points.

“Honestly, I don’t know who was going to win because it was really a tough fight. When the ring announcer called my name, I was relieved. It was always great to win your first fight in any event,” the Trench Tech bet said.

With his victory, Manglona improved his win-loss record to 4-1, prevailing in his last four fights. He debuted at the octagon cage on Dec. 13, 2013 and bowed to Josh Duenas via arm-bar submission at the 1:47 mark in the first round of their duel in Trench Warz 17: Night of Champions.

Manglona then started his series of victories on Aug. 22, 2014 after recording a RNC win against Ethan Reyes just 55 seconds into the opening round of their flyweight bout in Rites of Passage 17: Road to Glory. His two other triumphs were also via RNC against Paul Ayuyu and Ernie Santos. Manglona pulled the plug on Santos at the 3: 59 mark of their first round bout in Rites of Passage 18: Warpath last July 3, 2015, while versus Ayuyu, the former got the win in Round 3 (2:46) during Trench Warz 18: Rock and Rumble last Dec. 12, 2014.

After his fourth straight victory and debut win in Guam, Manglona received an invite to see action in future PXC events.

“I am excited and looking forward to more PXC fights. While waiting for another call-up from PXC, I will return to training and prepare for my next bout in April,” the 19-year-old fighter said.

Manglona will be featured in one of the kickboxing matches in Rites of Passage 19: Seek and Destroy set for April 22 at the Royal Taga Hall of Saipan World Resort. Incidentally, he will face one of his victims—Reyes—in next month’s event.

“I am thrilled for my rematch against Ethan and hopefully I will beat him again,” Manglona said.