Nissi Icasiano

𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗖𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗗

Kimbert Alintozon has made weight ahead of his Road To UFC Season 5 assignment, confirming his participation in the bantamweight tournament bout in Macau, China.

The 27-year-old from Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental tipped the scales at 133 pounds, while opponent Rabindra Dhant of Nepal came in at 135 pounds. Their three-round clash takes place on Thursday, May 28, at the Galaxy Arena as part of the tourney’s opening round.

The tournament follows a single-elimination format, with fighters across the Asia-Pacific region competing for a UFC contract at the end of the bracket.

Alintozon owns a 7-3 professional record marked by a strong finishing rate. His breakthrough moment came in October 2024 under the Zeus Fight League (ZFL) banner, where he stopped Team Lakay’s Estrada Donga-as in under a minute with a left hook.

He later suffered a setback in a ZFL flyweight title bout in July 2025 against Jake Bron but rebounded with a stoppage win over Trọng Vinh Mùi in Vietnam earlier this year after moving up in weight.

On the other hand, Dhant brings a 9-1 slate and experience in BRAVE Combat Federation and ONE Championship’s ONE Friday Fights series, setting up a competitive opening test for the Filipino hard-hitter.

𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

On May 26, 2018, Jerwin Ancajas successfully defended his IBF junior bantamweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Jonas Sultan at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California — marking the first all-Filipino world title bout in 93 years.

The judges scored the contest 119-109, 119-109, and 117-111, reflecting Ancajas’ superior technical precision and effective jab.

𝗪𝗛𝗢'𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧?

Who should be next in line to challenge Joshua Pacio for the ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship?

A. Mansur Malachiev

B. Sanzhar Zakirov

C. Bokang Masunyane

𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗬𝗢𝗧 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗨𝗙𝗖

When he steps into the Octagon for Road To UFC Season 5 on Friday, May 29, at the Galaxy Arena in Macau, China, Eros Baluyot believes he is fighting for something far greater than a UFC contract.

Before he takes on the biggest bout of his MMA career, take a moment to read his feature story on Manila Standard. Grab a copy of the May 25 edition from your nearest newsstands today or visit the Manila Standard website. 🥊

𝗪𝗛𝗢'𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧?

Who should Lito Adiwang face next in ONE Championship?

A. Yuya Wakamatsu
B. Sanzhar Zakirov
C. Hu Yong

𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗬 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗔𝗦 𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢𝗭𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗨𝗙𝗖 𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠

If there is one word that perfectly defines Kimbert Alintozon’s inclusion in the bantamweight tournament of Road To UFC Season 5, it is destiny.

Before he flies to Macau, China next week, read his feature story on Manila Standard. Grab a copy of the May 23, 2026 edition from your nearest newsstands today or visit the Manila Standard website. 🥊

𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗞𝗜𝗗 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘

In my column for Manila Standard this week, I tackled how Lito Adiwang is finally receiving the long-overdue spotlight he deserves as a Filipino mixed martial artist.

Grab a copy of the May 18, 2026 edition from your nearest newsstands today or visit the Manila Standard website to download the digital copy! 🥊

Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano met in the main event of MVP MMA 1, held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, a matchup that never happened at the height of their primes.

Rousey immediately imposed her grappling, shooting a quick double-leg takedown and bringing Carano to the mat within seconds. She advanced rapidly to full mount, taking control before her opponent could establish any defensive base.

Carano briefly attempted a guillotine choke during a scramble, but the move opened up her arm in the process. Rousey quickly adjusted, isolated the limb, and secured an armbar.

The submission came just 17 seconds into the opening round, with Carano tapping almost immediately once the hold was fully locked.

After the stoppage, both fighters shared a respectful embrace inside the cage, acknowledging the brief but symbolic encounter.

Mike Perry defeated Nate Diaz via second-round doctor stoppage in the co-main event of MVP MMA 1: Rousey vs. Carano.

Perry started fast, pressuring with front kicks, overhands, and heavy body work that forced Diaz into constant defense.

The Stockton native had brief success with his jab, counters, and a hip toss that led to a short armbar attempt, but Perry escaped and continued to land damaging strikes. A cut opened near Diaz’s right eye as the pace stayed high.

In Round 2, Diaz tried to manage distance, but Perry’s aggression with clinch knees, hooks, and ground-and-pound overwhelmed him.

With Diaz bleeding heavily from multiple cuts, the cageside doctor stopped the fight at 5:00 of the round, giving Perry a TKO win and a long-awaited return to the win column.