‘Top Gun’ wants to see if he still has it

Trench Tech’s Mark “The Dark” Nuique punches HBP Guam’s Ernie Santos during their bout in the Rites of Passage 17: Road to Glory last year at the Royal Taga Hall of the Saipan World Resort. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Andrew “Top Gun” Sablan is coming out of a long hiatus to again climb the eight-sides when he faces Mark “The Dark” Nuique in the semi main event of tonight’s Trench Warz 19: No Turning Back at the Royal Taga Hall of the Saipan World Resort.

Sablan (3-1 with 2 knockouts) last fought on Sept. 27, 2008, when he scored a knockout win over Martin Castro with 1:43 left in the first round of their undercard bout in Rites of Passage 5: Raging Warriors.

“I would like to see if I still got what it takes [fighting] in the cage. I love it in there, it’s been a while since I fought and I’m looking forward to fighting in front of the local crowd again,” said Sablan, who trained for almost two months but stayed in shape with Team Zalaka.

Sablan and Nuique (8-4 with 5KOs) knew each other as both of them are united in saying that it would be an interesting match up.

“I’ve known Mark a pretty long time. We’re good friends and hang out a lot before. I know he’s also talented and that we’re a good match,” added the 29-year-old Sablan.

“This would be a great fight for both of us since I also knew Andrew. He’s a friend of mine,” said Trench Tech fighter Nuique, who has lost four straight after winning eight consecutive matches.

Nuique, 27, dropped his last fight against Ernie Santos in last year’s Rites of Passage 17: Road To Glory losing to the High Blood Pressure Guam bet by rear-naked choke submission.

Both had promised to give the fans an exciting fight where they would again showcase their skills and even exchanged good-natured remarks against each other.

“I’ll do my best to put on a good show. Good luck Mark, I know that you’re tough and I don’t doubt your will to win. I think that we’re a good match and I’m expecting a fun fight,” said Sablan, who works at Seahorse Inc.

“I just hope the fans enjoy the fight since this will be a good one. Drew, let’s show Saipan what we got. So knuckle up,” added Triple J Wholesale employee Nuique.

Terrence Tudela, 22, of Team Sonic will also be making his debut inside the eight-sides when he takes on Juan Lizama of Luta Top Team/GroundFu.

“It’s the love of the sport. I don’t know anything about [my opponent] but I’m ready for war. I just want to say good luck to chelu, hope you’re ready,” said Tudela, an EMT at Priority Care.

The official weigh-in took place yesterday at the Club C of the Kanoa Resort.