Namauleg, Sambile to make history tomorrow night

History will be made in the local MMA scene tomorrow night when Tara “The Tarantula” Namauleg and Jenipy “Salbahe” Sambile step inside the octagon for the islands’ first ever match between female fighters in Trench Warz IX: Annihilation.

Trench Tech president Cuki Alvarez said the Namauleg-Sambile fight is testament to growing popularity of the sport in the Commonwealth.

“This will be history in the making. Mixed martial arts has grown tremendously and spawned in the CNMI to a sport that now isn’t just for the guys. These two MMA combatants will pave the way and pioneer the future of the female warrior and female competitors in the CNMI. This will be the first, but not the last in female MMA I can assure you!” he said in an email to the Saipan Tribune.

Twenty-two-year-old Namauleg has had fight experience before, losing to Soledad “The Rebel” Tenorio in the islands’ first ever boxing match in Predator or Prey last August.

She is an independent fighter who trains with her uncle and cousins in their backyard and is known for her street savvy and toughness.

“She’s sort of like a tomboy so to speak who doesn’t back down from anything or anyone. She is always up for a challenge and will take a fight anytime, anywhere. She was known as the toughest girl in the block,” said Alvarez.

In a phone interview last night, Namauleg vowed to redeem herself from that loss to Tenorio four months ago by knocking down Sambile.

“I’ll try to do my very best to knock her out. I would really love to bounce back from that loss [in Predator or Prey]. I’ve been training the last three months so I know I’m going to do good. It’s going to be fun. I also want to say the best of luck to my opponent. Let’s try to put on a great show,” she said.

Sambile, meanwhile, is the younger of the two at 19 years old. Alvarez said she just started training at Trench Tech about three weeks ago.

“When I first put out a ‘Female fighter wanted’ ad last month, Jen was the first girl to call and accept the challenge! She is a young free spirit who is brave and willing on test her natural athleticism in the sport of MMA. She has natural talent and is easy to teach and definitely has potential to excel in this sport,” said Alvarez.

Sambile, for her part, said she will try to take the fight to the ground as she is wary of her opponent’s boxing and kickboxing experience.

Other than that, she is confident that the training at Trench Tech has prepared her well for the fight.

“I’ve been training at Trench Tech the past three weeks. The crash course has been good and I’m ready to rock. I’ll see how it goes,” she said in a phone interview with the Saipan Tribune.

Alvarez did not want to predict who would emerge victorious in the fight. “My take on the fight is that it will come down to will power and determination. Both these girls have tremendous heart and a burning desire to compete and test their physical skills in unarmed combat. Win, lose or draw, both these girls are winners for just stepping onto that octagon.”

Aside from the Namauleg-Sambile fight, 11 other MMA fights will be featured in Trench Warz IX: Annihilation at the Royal Taga Hall of the Saipan World Resort.

Tickets 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.