By: Alfred Johannes T. Gealogo

Mark Februrary 18, 2012 as the URCC invades Baguio for their 4th event up North! Billed as Colt 45 URCC Baguio 4: Battleground, the event will be held at the Baguio Convention Center.

 Headlining the card is the URCC Pinweight champion Roy “The Punisher” Docyogen (9-0-0) against former WBC titleholder Rodel “Kid” Orais (2-0) in a Superfight. In his two professional MMA fights, Orais punched a tough Jilmar Tangayan to submission and defeated a Lakay fighter in Joel Amurao. Could Roy Docyogen be the next Lakay member in his list?

 In a title bout, Davao’s Beefit Python’s fighter and Featherweight interim champion Ricardo “El Matador” Sapno (4-1-0) engages Kalinga Wushu Team’s Arnold Agapito (1-0) for the vacant URCC Featherweight belt. A statement from URCC President Alvin Aguilar will be released soon to explain the reason for Eric “The Natural” Kelly relinquishing his title.

 A personal favorite from the recent Black Tie Brawl will be battling once more as heavy-handed Melchor Cases from Strikes Unlimited (1-0) goes against Christian Gazmin for the co-main event. Gazmin, a decorated grappler coming out of Engage MMA, is making his professional debut. Will he slug it out against Cases or go to his bread-and-butter for a classic match of power v. technique?

 My pick for potential Fight of the Night honors goes to now Baguio-based Will “The Kill” Chope of Phuket Top Team and Supefight winner Red “The Filipino Bolo Punch” Romero from Yaw Yawn Kampilan. Will Chope (URCC record 2-0) is enjoying a meteoric rise to fame as he submitted two of his opponents in the Philippines. Red Romero recently lost to Ricardo Sapno as he took the fight two weeks after a brutal war with Jessie Rafols. With time to recuperate and train for this fight, expect Red to go all out! This is a very interesting fight that I think should be higher in the card.

 A Muay Thai fan’s dream match has been scrapped as Jerson Estoro’s opponent, Onyok Transmonte, suffered a shoulder injury while training. URCC matchmaker Willy Carlos gives his assurance that the guy who will replace Transmonte will be just as exciting and explosive on his feet.

Here is the URCC Baguio 4: Battleground full fight card.

Superfight: Roy “The Punisher” Docyogen vs. Rodel "Kid" Orais

 Co-Main Event: Christian Gazmin vs. Melchor Cases

Featherweight Championship: Arnold Agapito vs. Ricardo Sapno

URCC Baguio 4: Battleground is going down February 18, 2012 at the Baguio Convention Center. Check urccmma.com regularly for updates and other features on what’s brewing in the URCC. Share your thoughts on this event and other articles by registering. Bakbakan na!