Trench Tech, Inc. has joined the growing list of individuals/groups from around the world that will be sending help to the earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

Trench Tech, Inc. president and promoter Cuki Alvarez and vp J. Randall Taylor said they will be donating $1 to a relief fund for Haiti from every ticket sold in the Rites of Passage 8: Fearless. Alvarez added they have yet to decide in which organization will they course through the donation, but Trench Tech may opt for the American Red Cross, CNMI Chapter due to easy access.

A magnitude 7.0-quake hit Haiti on Jan. 12, damaging properties, killing tens of thousands, and leaving nearly two million homeless. Cause-oriented groups from various countries have started arriving to Haiti to give assistance and since Trench Tech and the CNMI people do not have the means go to the affected areas, Alvarez hopes this simple fundraising will still help those in need.

“Trench Tech is calling on all MMA fans to come out and help our brothers and sisters in Haiti. By watching Fearless, you not only get a chance to enjoy action in the octagon cage, you also extend a helping hand to people in dire need,” Alvarez said in a telephone interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday.

The Rites of Passage 8: Fearless will be the first fight that Trench Tech is hosting this year and it will be held on Feb. 12 at the Royal Taga Hall of the Saipan World Resort.

The event is a proving ground for young up-and-coming talented fighters who want to take their fighting skills to the next level of MMA competition. However, next month’s show in the octagon will not only feature debuting combatants, but also seasoned fighters from both Saipan and Korea.

Korean Top Team’s Hyun Gyu Lim, “Dr. Kang” Bung Chan Kang, and Young Nam Gu will be making their debut in CNMI MMA via ROP 8 and will be featured in the night’s triple main event, battling Saipan bets.

Lim will be dueling veteran Slade “The Rage” Adelbai with the former hoping to improve his 5-3-1 win-loss-draw record. Fasi “Quikdraw” Jesse will be facing Kang in a 155-lb. event, while Chris “No Love” Laayug will be squaring off against Gu in a 145-lb. bout.

Meanwhile, Trench Tech is still looking for fighters wanting to see action in the season-kicking event. Trench Tech added tickets for Fearless will be available starting next week at the following stores: Boarderline, 670 Rocksteady Shop, Hannam Super Market, Mobil Kagman, and Trench Tech gym in San Antonio. Ticket prizes are $20 for general admission and $30 for VIP.

For more information, contact Alvarez at 483-4MMA.

FIGHT #1

Lionel “THE HELLION” Borja from Marianas Elite def. Trench Tech’s “BIG” Ron Chisato via Rear Naked Choke (RNC) @ 1min and 49 seconds of the very 1st rd and solidified his stake as the dominant fighter between the two, winning for the second straight time against Chisato in this “revenge” match. In their first match up Borja KO’d Chisato in just 40 seconds of rd 1. Borja improves to 3 wins and 1 loss while Chisato drops to 3-3.

FIGHT #2

Team Trench Tech’s Jeff ” THUNDER” Cloud made his MMA debut against veteran cage fighter Robert “PIT BULL” Palacios of the South Side Syndicates.  Cloud used his reach in the early going to keep the fast and wild hands of Palacios at bay. After a few exchanges, the fight went to the ground where Cloud used his superior jiu jitsu and eventually locked Palacios in a Triangle choke forcing him to tap @  1 min 54 seconds.

**GUAM vs. Saipan Matches:

FIGHT #3

Debut MMA fighter,Team MTM Guam’s Dylan Pablo used his wrestling and crafty foot work to out maneuver Saipan’s “TABI” Jay Muna from PREDATOR COMBAT. Muna suffered an unintentional low blow that was not noticed by special guest referee- Frank “THE CRANK” Camacho and Pablo was able to bring the fight to the ground and win via RNC @ 1 min and 33 seconds. Muna drops to 5 wins and 7 loses.

FIGHT #4

Dylan’s brother and fellow Teammate, Kyle Pablo also made his debut and made it two in a row for Guam as he used his wrestling and grappling skills to out whit Saipan warrior, Kev “THE REV” Esteves from Marianas Elite. Pablo won by RNC @ 1min and 5 seconds. Esteves now drops to 2 and 3.

FIGHT #5

Josh Alvarez from Team Counter-shot Guam was victorious over Marianas Elite fighter Derick “EL PELIGRO” Rangamar. This match was dubbed as one of the “most exciting fights of the night” as the two combatants exchanged kicks and punches from the get go nonstop for 4mins and 55 secs. Both were steadfast and determined to take the other down in the name of island honor. With just 5 seconds left on the clock, Alvarez snuck in a straight Arm lock and forced Rangamar to tap much to the dismay of the more than 500 MMA fans. But the fans turned around and applauded the two fighters and showed much appreciation for an amazing fight and showing of sportsmanship as Alvarez raised the hand of Rangamar and called him a deserving winner as well despite the loss. With this win, Alvarez improves to 5-1-0 and Rangamar drops to 5 and 5.

FIGHT # 6

Spike 22′s Tony “RUSH” Reyes made it 4 in a row for Guam as he easily controlled veteran stand up striker Maitai Charley on the ground. Charley, who fights out of Marianas Elite was doing good on his feet. Reyes, who took the fight on only 2 days notice knew he was not in tip top shape and his game plan was to use his ground skills against Charley. Reyes also won by RNC @ 1 min 57 seconds of rd 1.
Reyes is now 4-1 in MMA and Charley drops to 4 wins and 5 losses.

FIGHT #7 (Lucky number 7)

Wyneu “One Time” Bamba vs. Gio “Palaxi” Sablan.

This was another very exciting match as the 2 brawled it out for 4mins and 58 seconds until finally Sablan was able to slip in a RNC in the final 2 seconds of the first rd. The crowd went into a frenzy as Palaxi handed Guam loss # 1 of the night! Wyneu is now 8 and 4 in MMA and Gio increases to 16 wins and 5 defeats.

Russia vs. The Marianas

FIGHT# 8

Iliev Ismail out lasted Guam’s Hosea “Killa Bee” Ware (who took the fight in just 2 days notice after original opponent- Ryan Bigler got injured) in rd 2 to
force referee Tony D’ Angelo to put a hault to the contest @ 3mins and 42 seconds of the rd. Ware was very hot in rd 1 and came out guns blazing! Although he dominated the first round, he burnt a lot of steam and ran out of gas in rd 2.  Ware now drops to 6 and 3 and Iliev Ismail fro Army Hand 2 Hand Combat improves to 3 and 2.

FIGHT # 9 (heavyweights)

Russia’s Bashir Jamlihanov went toe to toe with local top heavyweight, Charleston “THE PREDATOR” Aiken in this very hard hitting heavyweight match up. Aiken who took the fight in just 6hrs notice was dominating his Russian Foe for most of the 1st rd. Jamlihanov stayed active and exchanged punches kicks, elbows and knees. By the second round, Aiken lost some steam and that was all Jamlihanov needed. In the 3 min and 42 second mark of the 2ND rd, Aiken dicided to call it quits and verbally submitted. MMA records for the 2 fighters were not available as of press time.

TRIPLE MAIN EVENT:

FIGHT #10 MAIN EVENT 1

Ilya Zelik (2-1) vs. Trench Tech’s Tetsuji Kato (21-10)
Saipan/Japan’s Tetsuji Kato handed Russia it’s 1st loss of the evening via referee stoppage. Head Ref Tony D’ Angelo stopped the contest at 2 mins and 11 seconds of rd2 after Zelik, who was ahead on the judges score cards after rd1 decided to just clinch and held onto Kato who in turn delivered 33 uncontested punches to the side of Zelik’s head and face. What seemed to be a tactic on the Russian’s part to tire his opponent out, seemed to back fire in this match as Kato stayed busy with short hammer and rabbit punches which was enough to force the referee to stop the fight. A disappointed Zelik tried in vain to have the call reversed but to no avail. The crowd wanted more action as well but D’ Angelo’s call was final stating that “these are MMA matches!, not death matches”!

FIGHT # 11 MAIN EVENT 2

UX/GTT’s Alex Castro vs.Trench Tech’s Fasi “Quikdraw” Jesse

One of the most anticipated matches of the night saw Guam’s Alex Castro defeat local favorite Fasi Jesse in the light weight super fight via guillotine Choke submission @ 3mins and 19 seconds of the very 1st rd. A fired up Castro controlled the pace as a bit of a lackluster Jesse played defense for most of the fight. After a few exchanges, Jesse tackled Castro to the mat and Castro capitalized with a picture perfect guillotine choke which forced Jesse to tap. With this Victory, Castro ends a 6 loss streak and improves to 6wins and 7 losses. Jesse drops to 6-1.

FIGHT #12 MAIN EVENT 3

Gil “The Guamaniac” Meno (Team SubDue) vs. Jason “RUSH” Tarkong from Trench Tech. Jason Tarkong wasted no time and submitted Meno in just a little over 1 min in rd 1 via guillotine choke. After a brief exchange, the 2 elderly statesmen clinched and the fight went to the ground where Tarkong dominated. The Guamaniac drops to 2-1 while Tarkong improves to 9-2.

It was an awesome night of MMA action and Trench Tech would like to thank all their sponsors for a stellar 2009! Trench Tech MMA will continue to bring the fans of the Marianas exciting MMA events for many years to come! Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year!