Let’s get ready to rumble

Itching to see a live fight?

Multiply that by nine and you’ll get Fury III: Fighting Islands Saipan, a full-contact, no-holds barred mixed martial arts competition in a spiketagon cage expected to bring thrills and excitement to all in attendance on April 9 at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Nine bouts are set for the audiences’ enjoyment, pitting five fighters representing Saipan, nine from Guam, and a fighter from Rota, and Hawaii.

According to Randy Taylor, co-owner of Trenchteck Purebred Saipan Gym, Tetsuji Kato, a strong bet in the main event, would be representing Saipan, Kato has a 17-5 win-loss record and will be moving to the island soon. He is originally from Saitama, located just outside of Tokyo, Japan.

Standing in Kato’s way is grappler David Padilla of Hawaii, who fought Saipan’s very own Anthony Torres in a recent fight in Hawaii.

Taylor said Padilla and Kato would exchange blows in three, five-minute rounds, while other fights would feature two, five-minute rounds.

“That’s a lot of time,” he said. “Some fights last only 10 seconds, but some last the entire thing.”

Tickets can be purchased for $22 in advance, or $25 at the door. VIP tickets are also available at $50. Doors will open at 6:30pm with Taylor expecting the first fight to get underway at 7:30pm.

“There’s a limited number of seats, so better buy the tickets now because presales is going pretty good,” Taylor said as he encouraged the public to purchase tickets as soon as possible. “Every seat is a good seat.”

Taylor also stressed that extremely intoxicated individuals, or those who are belligerent won’t be allowed in and would be denied access. He said alcoholic beverages would also not be allowed in the premises.

“We don’t want extracurricular fights in there,” he said.

Brothers Dean and Donovan Kapileo of Tanapag also make up the Saipan team, with Dean set to battle police officer Manny Chong of Guam, and Donovan going face to face with Jason Johnson.

Taylor said Johnson had earlier issued a challenge to Saipan’s best fighters after beating Jason Tarkong in Rota last year. Both, however, refused to take on Kato.

Family bragging rights will also be on the line as Saipan’s Cucci Alvarez battles cousin Pete Alvarez of Guam, while Rudy Camacho has the hometown fans on his corner as he takes on Guam’s Mark Duenas.

Justin Cruz and Justin Ulloa will also square up against each other, while Chris Duenas and Darren Cruz would also put their muscles to the hustle. Another bout will feature Terrence Aflague versus Ishikawa. All six fighters are from Guam.

The event also features a grudge match as Rota’s Jay Villanueva and Guam’s Kevin Rogers go head to head in a rematch from last year’s Fury in Rota. Villanueva won the bout with a rear-naked choke, forcing Rogers to tap out.

“It could’ve gone either way,” Cucci Alvarez said of the fight. “It was a tough one, and Kevin tapped out. He wants a rematch and Jay gave it to him.”

Fighters will have several rules they need to keep in mind.

“No eye goauging, no scratching, no eye poking, no biting, no kicking the groin,” Taylor said. “Those are some of the rules and the fighters know that.”

The fighters will have a weigh-in on April 8 at 12pm at the Kilili Pavilion across the Ada Gym.

The event is sponsored by Budweiser, Shell Marianas, PC Outlet, The Rock 97.9FM, Power 99, Marianas Cable Vision, Aquarius Beach Tower, Budget Rent-A-Car, and Trenchtek.