Fitial eyes repeat vs Martinez

The CNMI’s Kelvin Fitial flexes his muscles during the weigh-in for PXC 54 yesterday at the Pacific Islands Club’s amphitheater. Fitial will face Guam’s Roque Martinez tonight. (Pacific Xtreme Combat)

The CNMI’s Kelvin “The Big Hit” Fitial makes his MMA comeback and hopes to pick up where he left off as he duels Guam’s Roque Martinez in the battle of heavyweights in tonight’s PXC 54 at the University of Guam Calvo Field House.

Fitial will be facing Martinez for the third time and eyes a repeat of his TKO win (punches and elbows) over the Guam fighter when they last met in 2011 in PXC 24. The 32-year-old Fitial pulled the plug on Martinez at the 4:52 mark of the fourth round of their five-round bout held in the Philippines, making up for the disappointing result (draw) of their first collision in PXC 22 in January 2011.

After his victory over Martinez, Fitial left the octagon cage to take care of his ailing mother—Maria—who passed away a few years ago.

“This fight is for my mom, I will win for her and for the people who have been supporting me and helping me get back in shape,” said Fitial, who went through an extensive training regimen under the guidance of James Lee and Jerry Diaz.

Fitial’s manager and friend—Ed Arriola—said a different Kelvin will be facing Martinez.

“He is a stronger, wiser, and better fighter,” Arriola said.

The CNMI bet holds a 13-7-2 win-loss-draw record going into his third meeting against Martinez. Of those wins, nine came via knockouts, while his losses were mostly from his reckless moves around the eight sides.

“Kel was young then, throwing lots of wild punches, but when you see him today, he’s a lot different. He’s more focused and knows how to use his strengths. He knows what it takes to win against Martinez,” Arriola added.

“I have better stamina now after getting training tips from my friends. I trained very hard for this bout. I’ll fight to the end and prove that my win against him in 2011 is no fluke. Roque is a good fighter so I can not underestimate him,” Fitial said.

Fitial and Martinez met in yesterday’s weigh-in at the Pacific Islands Club’s amphitheater and engaged in a shouting match after both fighters made the weight. Fitial tipped the scale at 253lbs, while Martinez recorded 247.6lbs.

A very eager Martinez was overheard (PXC 54 video) yelling to Fitial “I’m coming for you boy.”

Martinez holds a 9-4-1 record going into his third duel against the CNMI fighter and has won his last four fights with the recent one against Japan’s Takaaki Oban via TKO (punches) in the second round of their heavyweight bout in PXC 52 last March 18.

Meanwhile, Fitial would like to thank Best Sunshine International, Go See Mark/Mark Sablan, Saipan Apparel, his Hoops family and friends, and wife Yuline for supporting his MMA return.