Pacific Xtreme Combat returns to the Solaire Resorts and Casino Grand Ballroom for their 16th show in the Philippines.
In the main event, PXC serves up an international warfare as PXC Welterweight Champion Zebastian Kadestam (7-2) of Sweden is set to make his fourth return to Manila, as he faces Finnish fighter and number-one-ranked welterweight in Southeast Asia Glenn Sparv.
Zadestam last fought for the IRFA, a Swedish league, last September 26, 2015. The PXC Welterweight lost via a controversial split decision against Hakon Foss. In the terror dome, though, he has yet to taste defeat, going 4-0 with the Guam-based promotion.
His opponent is American Kickboxing Academy Thailand standout Glenn Sparv. Sparv is making his PXC debut and is currently 12-3 in his career. Moreover, he is riding a five-fight winning streak, with his last loss coming by way of KO back in 2013.
Rolando Navarette-Dy is set to be the country’s flag bearer in the event, as he faces undefeated Japanese prospect Koyomi Matsushima in a featherweight clash. Dy (6-4) found a new home in the promotion’s featherweight division, absolutely thrashing Miguel Mosquera during PXC 51. More importantly, it snapped his two-fight funk – both at the hands of former PXC Bantamweight Champion Kyle Aguon.
Fil-Kiwi and #1 ranked bantamweight in Southeast Asia Mark Abelardo (12-4) also makes his return to Manila, as he squares-off against Korean Han Bin Park (6-3) in a clash of young prospects.
Abelardo was active in his 2015 campaign, going through five bouts, going 4-1 during that time frame. In his last fight, he soundly defeated Guam-based fighter Roman Alvarez by second round TKO during PXC 50.
Han Bin Park, though, is a dangerous opponent. The 21 year old is a mainstay with Korean promotion Top FC. However, he was able to notch his first big win with PXC. In an upset, the then-19-year-old Park was able to submit Crisanto Pitpitunge with a guillotine choke with 45 seconds remaining during PXC 41. In his last fight, he succumbed to current PXC Bantamweight Champion Kwan Ho Kwak last August.
Team Lakay’s John Cris Corton (4-2) looks to extend his four-fight winning streak as he faces Hawaiian Riley Dutre (6-3) in a flyweight clash.
Filling up the card are some of the most intriguing prospects in Southeast Asian MMA. Rex De Lara (5-5) will take on Australian Top Team’s Darwin Sagurit (5-3) in a bantamweight clash, while Farmon Gafarov (3-1) looks to bounce back against Adamson Torbiso (1-1) in flyweight action.
Rounding-up the card are three explosive bouts. Filipino lightweight Glen Ranillo (4-3) takes on Australian Aydin Mrouki (1-1), Ernie Braca (2-2) and Stephen Loman (7-2) square off in an explosive bantamweight match, and Filipino Adam Cacay (4-3) faces 2-0 Thai-Norwegian fighter Anton Larsson.
Pacific Xtreme Combat 53: Kadestam vs. Sparv is set to take place at the Solaire Resort and Casino Grand Ballroom on Friday, April 8.
