While this may be the second year in a row for the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization to come to the Philippines, UFC Fight Night Manila 2: Lamas vs. Penn is still a night filled with many firsts that fans and fighters can look forward to.
First Step to 3 UFC Titles
UFC Hall of Famer B.J. “The Prodigy” Penn holds the distinction of being just the second two-division champion in UFC history. In UFC Fight Night Manila 2, he begins his quest for a historic third title, this time in the featherweight division, and he’s chosen Manila to be the venue for his first test. Fans could witness one of the greatest comebacks in MMA history, as Penn takes on former title challenger Ricardo “The Bully” Lamas.
First Fight in Asia
For a number of fighters in UFC Fight Night Manila: Lamas vs. Penn, not only will this be their first trip in Asia but it will also be the first time they get to fight in front of a predominantly Asian fan base. Filipinos specifically have been recognized for their immense knowledge and passion for MMA, and co-headliner Ricardo “The Bully” Lamas, who will fight outside of North America for the first time, is looking forward to putting on a great show for everyone in attendance.
First UFC Heavyweight Fight
The co-main event for UFC Fight Night Manila 2 will be the first UFC heavyweight fight in Manila. Typically known for their destructive power and gargantuan frames, fans are in for a massive treat, when rising heavyweight star Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis and Polish prospect Marcin “Tybur” Tybura lock horns in a 3-round bout. Lewis is currently riding a four-fight winning streak, while Tybura is coming off an impressive head kick knockout victory last August, which earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.
First UFC Women’s Bout
The UFC Women’s divisions have proven to be a haven of talent, home to superstars such as Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey, bantamweight champion Amanda “Lioness” Nunes, Paige Van Zant and strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Apart from heavyweights, UFC Fight Night Manila 2 will also host the first-ever UFC Women’s fight in Manila when Danielle “Dynamite” Taylor and Seo Hee Ham meet in a 3-round strawweight fight.
First UFC Wins
It can be said that UFC Fight Night Manila 2 presents even more significance for three fighters in the card who are still searching for their first win inside the Octagon®. They are the aforementioned Taylor, a former local MMA champion, who is coming off a razor-thin split-decision loss in her UFC debut last August;
Japan’s Mizuto Hirota, who will be competing in his first UFC fight since being named the co-winner of Road to UFC: Japan;
French man Medhi Baghdad, who competed in The Ultimate Fighter 22 under the guidance of UFC featherweight champion Conor “The Notorious” McGregor.
First UFC Fight
Ask anyone on the UFC roster and they will tell you that no one ever forgets the first time they step inside the famed Octagon® and at UFC Fight Night Manila 2, Filipino fans will get to witness the debut of highly-touted Canadian prospect Ryan Janes. A former web developer turned grappling specialist with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Janes is riding a hot seven-fight winning streak, five of which came via his signature rear naked choke.
UFC Fight Night Manila 2: Lamas vs Penn is scheduled on October 15, 2016, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
