Fitial to Quinata: Let’s get it on

The main event in Trench Warz IX: The Annihilation between Marianas Elite’s Kelvin “The Big Hit” Fitial and Rueben “The Booben” Quinata of Guam’s Spike 22 Fight Academy promises to be a brawl as both fighters vowed to prove something.

For Fitial, he wants to prove he deserves to be in the main event and defeat an unbeaten foe in front on the home crowd.

Initially, Fitial was in the semi main event against Ton “Xcalibur” Nekaifes. But both fighters begged off to be paired, as they are related to each other and their families do not want them squaring off inside the octagon cage.

The Manny Chong vs. Myron “The Natural” San Nicolas duel was the original main event, but was cancelled as the former could not make it to Saipan due to work commitment.

With these changes, Fitial moved up to the main event and will face Quinata, who will be fighting on Saipan for the first time.

Quinata started competing in MMA only this year and has an impressive 3-0 record. He wants to prove he can win on Saipan, too, against Fitial, who is one of the best attractions in MMA on Saipan.

“This will be a big brawl. I heard so much about Kelvin and this is a big opportunity for me to find out what he is made of,” Quinata said.

Fitial is thankful that he will have the crowd helping boost his confidence when he duels Quinata and the Marianas Elite pride bowed to put on a great show for the fans.

“I will go all out and give my best. I don’t want to disappoint fans. Rueben and I will be giving what the fans ask for,” Fitial said.

Fitial and Quinata and the rest of the fighters in 11 other bouts attended the weigh-in yesterday at the Taga Hall of World Resort.

Fitial, who holds a 14-2-5 win-draw-loss record tipped the scales at 237 lbs., while Quinata was 7 lbs. heavier at 244 lbs.

Jen Sambile and Tara Namauleg, who will be colliding in the first MMA bout in the CNMI, were also in the weigh-in with the former recording 121 lbs. against the latter’s 133 lbs. Both fighters agreed to fight in the 125 lbs, and organizers and the fighters’ managers were discussing Thursday night how to proceed with the bout tonight with Namauleg 8 lbs. over the limit. Five other fighters were over the weight limit.

Aside from the Fitial-Quinata main event and the first female bout, 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.

Tickets for tonight’s fight 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.