Only once has the regional promotion Pacific Xtreme Combat had a championship bout revolving around two Filipino fighters.
Back in 2012 – November 17 to be exact -, Submission Sports Philippines lead trainer Erwin Tagle faced off against the late Ale Cali at the Big Dome for the PXC Flyweight Championship. It was a classic match that saw Cali retire Tagle in three rounds to retain the championship.
Video courtesy of InterAKTV
On Saturday, in PXC’s first event to be held at the glamorous Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resort and Casino, two Filipinos again will battle battle for a PXC World Championship. Team Lakay and Baguio-native Crisanto Pitpitunge (8-3), who many believe is the linear PXC Flyweight Champion, takes on perennial underdog and Iloilo-native Jinel Lausa (5-2) for the vacant PXC World Flyweight Championship.
Former PXC Bantamweight Champion Pitpitunge had the chance to achieve a rare feat last PXC 48. “The Slugger” was slated to face Filipino-American Alvin Cacdac for the PXC Flyweight championship. However, both men failed to make weight resulting to the PXC stripping the Filipino-American of his belt. During fight night, the Team Lakay standout blasted Cacdac in a quick first round knockout win that vindicated his status as one of the elite flyweights in the promotion.
However, Jinel Lausa was the star of the night during that card in the eyes of the viewers. Lausa thrilled the audience that night in rallying back from a beatdown against former #1 contender Ernesto Montilla and landing a huge overhand for the KO victory with just a second to go in the first round.
After that night, it was inevitable for the two to finally square-off.
In addition, all the marbles are at stake with Pitpitunge chasing history while Lausa’s fighting for vindication.
“The Slugger” is proud that once again two Filipinos will fight for the championship. “In general, it shows that as Filipino fighters, medyo angat tayo,” the former PXC Champion said. “Despite many fighters in different countries, dalawang FIlipino ang maglalaban para sa flyweight (championship). Para sa akin, okay lang pero meron din na impact yung Filipino din ang makakalaban ko.”
Lausa then added that Pitpitunge is one of the fighters he looks up to in the game. “Idol ko si Cris dati kasi dati siyang bantamweight champion,” the young buck said. Moreover, he added that this bout is special to him since it is a showcase of the evolution of Philippine MMA. “Ang masasabi ko lang, Pinoy to Pinoy ang maglalaban ngayon at kadugo pa rin natin. Pero pinaglalabanan natin ay belt so good luck na lang sa ating dalawa,” Lausa shared.
Pitpitunge though is wary of Lausa’s striking but is confident that he has the perfect gameplan to negate his opponent’s striking. “100%. I prepared for everything striking and ground,” The Slugger disclosed.
The underdog though is confident that his hard work in wrestling will bear fruit come fight night, “Sa akin, nagtraitraining naman ako. Wrestling and boxing. Ready na ako sa bibigay niya.”
The two Filipinos are set to weigh-in for the bout tomorrow, January 14 as they face-off for the final time before fight night. On January 15, expect fireworks as Crisanto Pitpitunge and Jinel Lausa are expected to slug it out with the coveted PXC Flyweight Championship on the line.
