UFC appearance dream come true for ‘The Crank’

Frank “The Crank” Camacho, left, subdues Extreme Combat Korea’s Gun Han Park, prompting referee Cuki Alvarez to stop the main event fight in Rites of Passage 21: Throwdown held last month at the Marianas Business Plaza. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Dreams really do come true.

Setting his eyes on the Ultimate Fighting Championship since his first fight at the octagon cage more than a decade ago, Frank “The Crank” Camacho’s time to set foot on MMA’s biggest stage has come, as he will be featured in one of the 12 bouts in UFC Fight Night Singapore on June 17.

“I’ve been chasing the dream for 13 years. I’ve had so many ups and downs. So many people are telling me to change my career and do something else, people doubting the career path I’ve chosen, but I also have so many supporters—my family, friends, fans, coaches, and teammates. Having the opportunity to finally fight in the UFC leaves me speechless. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Camacho.

The Marianas pride will be pitted against UFC veteran Jingliang “The Leech” Li in a welterweight match at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang.

The 29-year-old China Top Team standout has been seeing action in UFC since 2014 and holds a 4-2 record in MMA’s biggest promotion in the world with his last two wins coming by way of knockouts. The 6’0 Li earned a TKO victory (punches) over Bobby Nash at the 4:45 mark of Round 2 of their bout in UFC on Fox 23 held in January this year. Then on UFC-The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale last July 8, 2016, the Chinese had a similar TKO win by punches versus Anton Zafir, just 2:46 into the opening round.

Li’s other triumphs in UFC were recorded against Dhiego Lima in 2015 (KO punches) and David Michaud in 2014 (split decision), while his losses were at the hands of Keita Nakamura (rear-naked choke) and Nordine Taleb (split decision). Overall, “The Leech” holds a 12-4 win-loss record since his MMA debut in 2007.

Aware of his foe’s reputation, Camacho said his camp is working on a fight plan against Li.

“Jingliang like everyone else has weakness (just like myself). My coaches and I are still coming up with a plan, but at the end of the day, he is an experienced athlete from China Top Team and once the leather starts flying, it’s a fight,” said the 28-year-old Camacho.

Camacho will be putting his 20-4 record on the line when he duels Li. Like his Chinese opponent, Camacho has also won his last two MMA fights, beating Korean Hyun Joo Kim (TKO/punches) in Rites of Passage 20: Conquer in August 2016 and Gun Hwan Park (arm triangle choke) in ROP 21: Throwdown last month.

The Trench Tech bet expects a dogfight against Li and he is counting on the “Marianas Fighting Spirit” to survive his UFC debut.

“Everyone in the UFC is tough, fast, strong, and technical. The one edge I definitely have over him for sure is the ‘Marianas Fighting Spirit.’ I know it sounds so weird when I say that, but people from the Marianas know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s the will to keep pushing forward when others are not willing to, the drive to work hard every day to reach goals, and the spirit of fighting hard and never giving up,” said Camacho, who thanked all the people who helped him reach his goal.

“It would be selfish of me to say I made it into the UFC. We made it to the UFC Marianas. You were all with me every single step of the way. For that, I thank each and every one of you for the encouragement, support, and even to the littlest random handshake at the store. Thank you all.”