Badger MMA’s assistant coach and mixed martial arts amateur fighter, Christian Santos “The Exotic” Labalan, made his team proud in the recently concluded FYC Fight Yard Contender Series 2023. Labalan, 17, won against his opponent, 18-year-old David John Yaris of T-Rex MMA via ground and pound in the first round.
Coach Nico Allego and the rest of the team could not contain their excitement as the referee raised Labalan’s hand to declare him the winner in the 125lbs Flyweight division. Coach Allego is a professional MMA fighter himself and is known by the moniker “The Bulldog”. He has won several MMA fights under his belt.
“I am really happy with his ground and pound. That is what we trained along with hardening of the body that’s why he is a bit tough (Natutuwa talaga ako sa ground and pound nya. Yan kasi ang inaral namin saka hardening sa katawan kaya kumunat konti),” Coach Allego said.
The big bosses of Badger MMA, Roderick Robenta and Jerome Eusebio were in Japan and Australia, respectively, during the FYC Fight Yard Contender Series 2023. But despite the absence of his bosses, Labalan proved that he was not someone to mess with inside the cage. Robenta and Eusebio were both in cloud 9 upon hearing of Labalan’s win.
Like many other mixed martial arts fighters, Labalan trained not only in striking but also in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Training under the guidance of Coach Nico “The Bulldog” Allego, Coach Jerome Eusebio, and Philippine Jiu-jitsu Academy/Carpe Diem Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Manila, he was able to improve not only his striking abilities but also his techniques on the ground. His patience in training helped him seal his win.
Labalan trained persistently almost twice a day daily to get his game inside the cage right. He worked closely with Coach Nico Allego to perfect his moves and game plan. Their daily grind inside the gym conditioned not only his young body but also his mind, preparing him for what’s to come inside the cage.
Labalan’s win is truly a cause for celebration for Badger MMA. It sets a new record for its roster of aspiring MMA fighters.
“All I can say about my win is that I am happy because all my efforts in training did not go to waste. And I thank all those who gave their support (Masasabi ko sa pagkapanalo ko ay masaya ako dahil hindi po nasayang ang pag-eensayo ko at nagpapasalamat din po ako sa mga sumuporta po),” Labalan quipped.
When asked about his next move, Labalan has this to say, “I plan to fight in higher promotions and I will do better in training so that I will win consecutively (Ang plano ko po lumaban pa po sa mataas na promotion at mas pagbubutihan ko pa po ang pag-eensayo ko para mag sunod-sunod na ang panalo ko.)”
Other fighters of Badger MMA, namely Eric Miucciquero, Bryan Russelle Voces, and Sean Andrie Alanza-Bongayan were with Labalan during his win. Together with Coach Allego, these fighters showed support to Labalan in and out of the cage.
