From underground street fights to Road to UFC: Kimbert Alintozon chases life-changing opportunity

Six years ago, Kimbert Alintozon was running from police in the mountains and coastal areas of Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental.

Not because he was involved in crime, but because he was fighting in underground street fights.

Now, the 27-year-old Filipino finds himself on the doorstep of receiving a UFC contract.

On Thursday, May 28, Alintozon will compete at Road to UFC Season 5 inside the Galaxy Arena in Macau, stepping in as a late replacement for injured Australian fighter Matty Iann in the bantamweight tournament.

For Alintozon (7-3), the call-up came much sooner than expected.

“Yung opportunity na to, unexpected to,” he told GMA News Online. “Kasi actually hindi nga ako part sa lineup na to. Nangyari lang na may na-injure na Australian guy.”

(This opportunity was unexpected because, actually, I was not even part of this lineup. It just so happened that this Australian guy got injured.)

Originally, Alintozon planned to spend more time building his record in the local scene before making a push for Road to UFC. Instead, he now finds himself with an opportunity to barge into the world’s largest MMA promotion.

“Ang plan na talaga mga next season pa kasi binibuild ko yung record ko para makapasok sa Road to UFC,” he said.

“Actually, ito talaga yung stepping stone ko papunta sa pangarap ko talaga. Sobrang saya, grabe talaga yung plan ni God. Kasi yung plano natin maliit, pero yung plan ni God malaki.”

(My plan was to build up my record so that I can enter the Road to UFC next season. Actually, this is my stepping stone to reach my dreams. I’m so happy. God’s plan is amazing. Our plans are small, but God’s plans are big).

Alintozon’s penchant for fighting came from his unique origin story. Before he was scouted by his team at the Alpha One, he first competed in boxing during his school days in Negros Occidental. But during the pandemic, he became involved in underground fights that were held in far-flung areas away from authorities.

“Nagsimula ako ng matuto ng MMA actually sa province namin. Sa school nag-compete ako ng boxing. Tapos yung pandemic nga, doon nagsimula mayroong mga street fight doon. Nagsali ako sa mga street fight.”

(I actually started learning MMA in our province. In school, I competed in boxing. Then during the pandemic, street fights started happening. I joined those street fights.)

According to Alintozon, these fights were informal backyard-style bouts with betting involved.

“Ano lang, suntukan lang tapos may pustahan din. Parang underground siya.”

(Just fist fights with betting involved. It was underground.)

To avoid arrest, fighters would travel to isolated areas in the mountains or at the beach.

“Sa mga lugar, ang mahirap na puntahan ng mga pulis, sa bundok o dagat.”

(We went to places where it was difficult for the police to reach us, in the mountains or by the sea.)

Eventually, Alintozon realized he could turn his fighting ability into a legitimate profession.

“Iniisip ko na pwede ko palang gamitin yung talent ko as a profession na hindi bawal. So doon nag-start.”

(I realized I could use my talent as a legal profession. That’s where it started.)

Now competing on one of the biggest platforms for Asian MMA prospects, Alintozon wants to show that Filipino fighters can put on entertaining fights.

“Very confident ako na mabigyan ko ng magandang show ang buong mundo na ipakita yung galing ng Pinoy,” he said. “Actually yung fight ko talaga, makikita nyo naman na hindi boring kasi gusto ko nang ma-entertain yung mga manonood.”

(I’m confident I can give the world a good show and display the skills of Filipinos. Actually, my fights are never boring because I want to entertain the fans.)

Alintozon faces tournament favorite Rabindra Dhant (9-1), the first-ever Matrix Fight Night bantamweight champion from Nepal. Despite Dhant’s credentials, Alintozon remains unfazed.

“Kahit saan magpunta, sa ground or sa stand-up, wala akong takot kasi confident naman ako sa skills na meron ako,” he said.

(Wherever the fight goes, on the ground or standing, I’m not afraid because I’m confident in my skills.)

Dhant may have spent his camp preparing for an Australian wrestler, but on Thursday, he faces a ghost from the Philippine underground. Carrying the hope of turning an unlikely journey into a UFC contract, Alintozon warns the world is about to get a huge surprise.

“Yan siguro yung gift ni God na binigay sa'kin. Magugulat na lang sila ipapakita ako sa laban namin sa May 28.”

(This is God’s greatest gift to me. They’ll just be surprised at what I’m gonna show them on May 28).