Electric!TheShockerBackToThePhilippines

Cruz fights for URCC bantamweight title

By John Wesley Jr. • For Pacific Daily News • July 4, 2008 

Cruz will go against URCC bantamweight champion Lino Tagacay. The weight class is for fighters 130 to 139 pounds.

The URCC Web site — http://www.urccmma.com/ — states that Tagacay fights out of Gym Kata and has a 5-2 record.

Cruz said that the champion’s record has improved since that entry, adding that Tagacay is a former pro boxer turned mixed martial artist.

Fighting for Guam

“This is the biggest fight of my life,” said Cruz. “I’m not only fighting for myself, but for the whole island.”

Cruz, who trains at Purebred’s Spike 22 Academy, said his game plan for the fight is simple.

“Take him to the ground Purebred Spike 22 style,” he said. “Take him down and ground and pound.”

The Shocker will be in the co-main event on a 10-fight card. Accompanying him on his trip will be Jesse “Spiderman” Taitano, Mike Ulloa, Roman Dela Cruz and Eli Monge.

To prepare for the fight, Cruz said he worked intensely on his wrestling and submission skills. Cruz thanked his teammates for all their support and helping him prepare for the fight, singling out Melchor Manibusan, Ed Nangauta, Micah Tobias, Hosea Ware and “Baby Joe” Taimanglo.

Should Cruz attain his goal of capturing the title, he will be the second Purebred fighter to hold a title in URCC. Frank “The Crank” Camacho of Trench Tech/Purebred Saipan held the URCC light heavyweight title before losing it last November.

 Note:Frank retains his title but lost the chance at a second belt for an exhibition catch weight match