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16-yr.-old iKalinga fighter ready for another international fight

  • Writer: Leonora Lo-oy
    Leonora Lo-oy
  • Jul 29
  • 2 min read

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Tabuk City, Kalinga – 16-year-old Alexander Tagure Jr. of Kalinga province is up for another mixed martial arts international competition in October this year.


Alexander is one of the 1,000 participants from 60 countries who competed in the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation Youth World MMA, the most prestigious MMA amateur match in the world, which was held in Abu Dhabi in July.


The young iKalinga fighter faced Tigran Gasparyan of Armenia for his first fight on July 25, but the match ended in a Split Decision – two judges scored the fight in favor of Tigran while one judge scored in favor of Alexander. On the same day, Alexander faced Thor Beck of the United States. Alexander led in the first round of the fight, however, his opponent got him in an arm bar in the second round.


“Sobra dikit laban karu diay Fight 2, lama-lamang tayon ngem nasingitan ti arm bar di round 2,” Coach Erwin Tagure recounted.

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While the 16-year-old was not able to get the podium, Coach Erwin said they learned a lot from the experience and that they know where to improve, like the ground game, where Alexander lost to his opponents.


Coach Erwin revealed they are eyeing to participate in the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championship in October in Bahrain, adding that Alexander will also be competing in Team Lakay Grapplers Cup in September.


With Alexander’s participation in the Youth World MMA, Coach Erwin said it would not have been possible if it were not for the collective and warm support of the iKalingas, the Cordillerans, and the generous sponsors.


“Sobra nga haan ak pay lang makapaniwala nga naabot mi daytoy world stage ta nagapu tayo lang ti maysa nga simple nga gym iti probinsya ket kaasina adda tayo ditoy … Haan kami makadanon ditoy nu awan ti pagmaymysa ti tattao, nu awan iti suporta, ayat ken kararag da. Very overwhelming met lang ti suporta ti OFWs tayo,” he expressed.

 
 
 

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