The next MMA superstar could be seeing action Friday night, Nov. 29, as the 20th Team Lakay Championship: Benguet Explosion 3 heats up Adivay Festival celebration.
Headlining the fight card is Argentinian Nahuel Gandolfi taking on Aljon Parba of T-Rex MMA in a featherweight contest.
Gandolfi will be making his second Team Lakay Championship and hope to follow up win against Rone Deliu in December 2023.
Prior to joining Team Lakay two years ago, Gandolfi was already seeing action in several MMA promotions raking 12 wins, including nine submissions and three knock-outs and four loses.
“It’s been two years and here at Team Lakay, I have been learning a lot and I hope this translate to a win,” said Gandolfi.
But Parba has another thing in mind, despite a losing debut in October this year; the T-Rex MMA fighter said he hopes to give the Benguet crowd a good show in his first headliner.
Also in the mix is a bantamweight match between Chad Mayos squaring off against Israel Balisacan while a women’s MMA contest featuring flyweights Grace Carluen and Criselyn Lusadan is expected to lit the Benguet Sports Complex Gymnasium.
“I’m looking forward to competing and winning, and hopefully someday become a professional fighter,” said Carluen, a native of Laguna and currently a college scholar of the University of the Cordilleras who trains with Team Lakay.
Lusadan, a niece of former pro MMA fighter George Lusadan said her upcoming bout will be a test of how her skills as improved through the years.
“Since grade 7, nasanay na ako sa ground and wrestling kaya ngayon sinusubukan kung mag explore ng ibang skills at sana makapagbigay ng magandang laban,” added Lusadan.
In other bouts, Kurt Jio Naisod will square off against Ryan Banisal in a featherwieght MMA match while Harizz Paddison Luyo takes on Joshua Belingon in a flyweight MMA action. Bantamweights Errol George Lapic and Wilmer Salpad battles in an MMA match with Jony Earl Caoalo taking on Brandon Albis in a lightweight MMA contest.
A catch weight MMA bout featuring Dalemarrie Mayos and Roxanne Cabildo will also take center stage in the event supported by Cong. Eric Go Yap, who also serves as Team Lakay’s manager, Fairtex, General Petroleum, Encam Agri Marketing, Hiraya Specialty Creations by Chef Yuma, Baguio Country Sounds, Afar Cafe and Ilustrado.
Two K-1 bouts will open the evening with Clifford Sadagan and Gian Carlo in a catch weight bout with Januel fritz Castillo taking on Justine Somera in a flyweight bout.
The face-off and presscon has held in Hiraya Restaurant located in Puguis, where you can elevate your dining experience while having a view of the Valley of La Trinidad.
