4 Filipinos to follow in UFC

MANILA, Philippines – Here are four Filipinos to follow in the world’s top combat sports organization, the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The Cebu-born Amil was born to a Filipina mother and an Indian-Turkish-English-Romanian father. He won his UFC featherweight debut against Fernie Garcia last February 11 to remain undefeated in his professional mixed martial arts career at 9-0.

Amil’s next fight is to be announced.

The 29-year old Sydney, Australia-born Culibao lost his featherweight bout to UFC debutante Danny Silva last March 17 for the first two-game losing streak of his eight-year MMA career. It was a disappointing split decision loss that saw Culiabo’s UFC record tumble to 3-3-1. 

His next match will be crucial as it will be for his survival in the UFC.

But if there is anyone on the ropes, it is Hawaii native and middleweight fighter Punahele Soriano. When Soriano came up from Dana White’s Contender Series, he was a force to be reckoned with. And it seemed that way as he won his first two bouts. Since then, he has been 1-4 for a 3-4 UFC slate, 9-4 overall. 

The next fight is for a contract. No word when this will be though.

And lastly, there’s bantamweight Ricky Turcios (10-3-0), who is of Filipino and Ecuadorian lineage but born in the United States.  Turcios was ready for his fight against Mexican-American Raul Rosas Jr. but the latter fell ill moments before the fight. 

Turcios is the only one really safe from getting cut as he is 3-1 in the UFC defeating Boston Salmon and Brady Hiestand before taking a unanimous decision loss from Aiemann Zahabi. 

There is no word yet when Turcios fights again. 

Fortunately for Ricky, he bounced back in his next fight. Unfortunately, it was against fellow Filipino Kevin Natividad who has lost his last three UFC fights. And he too is in danger of getting dropped.

The UFC is televised live in the Philippines every week on the Premier Sports channel on Sky Cable and Cignal as well as the Blast TV streaming application.