UFC Manila: Delos Reyes chokes out Sangcha-an in two in all-Filipino affair

Baguio-based flyweight mixed martial arts fighter Rodan Sangcha-an fell short against Guam-based Filipino Jon Delos Reyes after getting submitted in two rounds in UFC Fight Night Manila at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Saturday.

"I feel great. It was a slow start. I knew it was a tough fight, and I wanted to show the fans two Filipinos fighting against each other in the UFC.I think it was a good fight for our first UFC fight in Manila," said Delos Reyes. "I was born in Guam, but I'm full Filipino. Fighting in the Philippines was going to be a lot of pressure---I love Filipinos. I get humbled here."

The Baguio city native Sangcha-an started the bout strong with a flying kick and a takedown. The fight soon went to the ground where Sangcha-an escaped with two close calls of submission while trading hard shots with Delos Reyes in the last ten seconds.

The fans were treated to back and forth action with the fighters standing up and on the ground in round two. The two went toe to toe with Sangcha-an dropping Delos Reyes with a sneaky left hook. Delos Reyes would recover from the knockdown, sending Sangcha-an to the canvass with a hard right straight that knocked the Filipino's mouthpiece out.

As soon as the fight went back to the mat, the already bloody Delos Reyes managed to pull a rear naked choke forcing Sangcha-an to tap out at the 3:13 mark of round two.

"I'm disappointed but it's part of the game," Sangcha-an said post-fight. "I accept this defeat and learn from it because champions who don't accept defeat will never be champions. It was great fighting here tonight. I am proud to represent the Philippines."

The win improved Delos Reyes' record to 8-4 while Sangcha-an fell to 4-2. - RAF, GMA News