It’s handbags at dawn in the Far East!
As Fight Sport Asia reported last night, Legend FC VIII has been cancelled, and the promotion has found itself in a fight instead of promoting several; their battle being of the legal variety, with China’s RUFF and Filipinos URCC the claimants. Today, in a shocking press release, this spat intensified as URCC reacted to their newfound rivalry with sudden alacrity, their founder Alvin Aguilar taking to the public stage to openly denounce Legend and several others involved in this ignominious beef.
Included in this most candid of official press releases, are allegations of law breaking, unlawful solicitation of and “illegal and unethical hiring of fighters” contracted to URCC, Hepatitis (I kid you not), criminal matchmaking, failing to comply with regulations, hiring blacklisted trainers, and even claiming that “every (Filipino) is for sale in this country”… this is the epitome of airing dirty laundry.
Here is his/URCC’s official statement;
“URCC Founder Alvin Aguilar, founder of one of Asia’s longest running MMA promotions filed three cases with the Games and Amusement Board against Michael Haaskamp and his promotion Legend FC. The cases being filed are regarding:
1.) Illegal and unethical hiring of fighters under contract with the URCC. (It was also noted that they overmatched a poor Filipino fighter from the province who didn’t know any better, to make his own veteran fighters look good.)
2.) Bringing legally registered Professional fighters outside the country without complying with any of the GAB’s requirements. Totally disregarding all of its rules and regulations
3.) Hiring trainers who are blacklisted and unlicensed by the GAB. One trainer he enlisted, Marciano Basas, was denied a fighter and trainer license as he has Hepatitis and a series of other sicknesses that may be passed on.
When asked for comment URCC Founder Alvin Aguilar said: “These foreigners think they can just come in and disregard the rules of our country and take advantage of our countrymen, and our efforts to promote Filipino MMA fighters around the world. Now that Philippine MMA is mainstream because of the URCC’s efforts, all sorts of foreigners are trying to make a quick buck off the efforts of OUR COUNTRYMEN. They even blatantly said that everyone is for sale here in our country. Well I’m sorry to say that we are not and this commission definitely is not for sale. I have personally dealt with them for ten years and they never asked me for a dime! They will learn to respect the rules here, all of the so-called Filipinos that supposedly support them (if any) should be hung up on a tree alongside these foreigners. As the founder of professional mixed martial arts in the Philippines, I am duty bound to protect my fighters and ensure that all the laws regarding and protecting them are followed. We will not standby and let these foreigners take advantage of anyone here. If ever I do meet them they will also learn the true meaning of BAKBAKAN NA!!!!””
We await a response from the suddenly embattled Legend FC.
“They will learn to respect the rules here, all of the so-called Filipinos that supposedly support them (if any) should be hung up on a tree alongside these foreigners.”
Lost any credibility he had when he made that comment.
ha, I’m kinda with you on that bro.
Silly, over the top thing to say. It’s one thing messing about posting nonsense on forums and message boards, but when you’re in a position of responsibility, don’t say that people who work with your rivals “should be hung on a tree” alongside “foreigners”
Maybe it was a bad day :)
I agree! I was considering attending their upcoming event because I am a huge fan of the sport and just moved to Manila…but changed my mind after seeing how he speaks about foreigners.
Where is theevidence that RUFF has sued Legends? Oh wait…there is none.
There is a butthurt, smalltime promoter who is unhappy that the Filipino fighters don’t want to be represented aboard by the same guy that runs the org back home! Go figure…conflict of interest ring a bell? Going on a ‘nationalistic rant’ only means that URCC has very little actual legal grounds for any kind of action.
I fought in the URCC before and when I had the chance to advance my career and fight in Guam, Alvin threatened to take legal action on me and refused to give me a copy of my contract because he doesn’t like the promoters. I am glad those PXC guys are now doing events in Manila that make the URCC look like a joke! I’m sure that played a role in Alvin’s meltdown racist rant…published as an official URCC statement.
Alvin’s comments are immature and unprofessional. It is this type of thug behavior that will prevent the sport from ever going mainstream in the Philippines. Does he really think those comments were going to scare the Legend guys? The URCC has been known to intimidate fighters and gyms from fighting for other promotions and are the ones guilty of taking advantage over their fighters with unfair contracts that lock them into 3 fights without a term limit.
“handbags at dawn” lol
what does “BAKBAKAN NA!!!!” mean?
To all:
Let Alvin speak his mind. He’s earned his place in the Asian MMA world after all.
He’s NOT a “nobody” like the ones posting comments here(myself included). Atleast
you now know that he ain’t cowtowing or playing politics like some people in the
Asian MMA world..
The URCC is a MMA pioneer in the Phils and by no means a JOKE… The PXC is a Guam based fight org trying to gain ground and weight in the Phil and around the world. Both are good shows to watch in different ways.
“BAKBAKAN NA” means- to get a brawl or fight going. It’s kinda’ like saying: “Let’s get it on” or “Let’s get this fight going”..
Peace out and Keep an open mind instead of judging Alvin and the URCC right away..
When you imagine the amount of money involved in this mma world virus its not difficult to lose your temper its big bussniss its ok to defend your local fighters and traditions look at wat happend toK1 and pride every ones they were sold and watbecame of it lok how many brazillians are fighting for usa fighters blood stays home blood