‘The Crank’ sizes up Trench Tech IX main event

Former Universal Reality Combat Championships light heavyweight champion Frank “The Crank” Camacho returned home last Monday in time for this Friday’s Trench Warz IX: Annihilation at the Royal Taga Hall of the Saipan World Resort.

But rather than suiting up for the MMA event, Camacho will be the third man inside the octagon when Saipan’s Kelvin “The Big Hit” Fitial takes on Guam’s Rueben “The Booben” Quinata in the main event.

He said he can’t wait to referee the match, which he said will undoubtedly end in a knockout.

“I’m really excited about the fight. The rest of the fight card is really good. I actually just met Kelvin and also met his opponent in Guam. It will really be an exciting fight. The guy that Kelvin will be fighting is a little smaller and doesn’t have that much reach on him, but I’ve heard so much about him and it will really be an exciting fight. I cannot predict who will win but it will be a knockout for sure,” said Camacho in a phone interview with the Saipan Tribune.

In a more personal note, Camacho said he is happy to be back on Saipan for Christmas vacation.

“I came back for the holidays so I could spend time with the family and friends during the holidays. I also came down to help with Trench Tech and Trench Warz IX.”

Trench Tech president Cuki Alvarez was in the airport, along with Camacho’s father, Frank Sr., Trench Tech head instructor Tetsuji Kato, and the gym’s vice president Randy Taylor, to welcome The Crank home.

Alvarez said he is already looking forward to Camacho showing them the latest MMA techniques. It can be recalled that Camacho fought and won in a couple of Jiu Jitsu tournaments in the mainland.

“Franklin will be here for a whole month training at the Trench Tech gym and showing us advanced skills he learned in Maryland at Lloyd Irvin’s BJJ Academy. He will also be signing autographs and be a special guest referee on fight night. Interested Jiu Jitsu practitioners are welcome to come train at the Trench Tech Gym for only $35 a month,” he said.

Aside from the Fitial-Quinata main event, other fights featured in Trench Warz IX: The Annihilation are as follows:

Team Pwang’s Eddie Paulis vs. Trench Tech’s Shane “Pikaboo” Alvarez (4-0) in the 130-lb. division;

Team Pwang’s J.J. “The Mauler” Mality (1-3) vs. Trench Tech’s Alverick “Pretty Boy” Alvarez (2-0) in the 140-lb. division;

Marianas Elite’s Derick “Pinchi” Rangamar (3-3) vs. Trench Tech’s “Badd” Brad Palacios (5-2) in the 140-lb. division;

Predator Combat’s Nate “The Terrible” Guam United Fight Team’s Leo “The Assassin” Cing (5-4) in the 150-lb. division;

D.A.T. Gym’s Joe Cabrera (0-1) vs. Trench Tech’s Fasi “Quikdraw” Jesse (2-0) in the 155-lb. division;

Malesso Home Grown Fighters’ Brian “The Shotgun” Howard (6-5) vs. Trench Tech’s Giovanni “Palaxi” Sablan (12-4) in the 150-lb. division;

Predator Combat’s John “The Jackhammer” Borja (2-3) vs. Marianas Elite’s Syl “The Deal” Teregeyo (3-2-1) in the 185-lb. division;

Team SSS Robert “Pitbull” Palacios (0-5) vs. Trench Tech’s Jason “Rush” Tarkong (8-2) in the 175-lb. division; and

Team Zalaka’s Ton “Xcalibur” Nekaifes (0-1) vs. Team X-Treme’s “Kill” Bill Saures (6-4) in the Big Brawl super heavyweight division.

Trench Warz IX: The Annihilation will also make history with the first ever female MMA fight in the CNMI as Jen “Salbahe” Sambile makes her debut against boxer-turned-MMA fighter Tara “Tarantula” Namauleg.

Tickets for Trench Warz IX: The Annihilation are on sale at Boarderline, 6-7-Zero Rocksteady Shop, Hannam Market, Mobil Kagman, and Trench Tech Gym. General admission costs $25, while VIP is $40. Gates open at 6pm.