Universal Reality Combat Championship
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Type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Mixed martial arts promotion |
Founded | 2002 |
Headquarters | , |
Key people | Alvin Aguilar (founder) Nico Rivera (President of URCC-USA ) |
Website | urcc |
Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) is the first and only professional mixed martial arts promotion based in the Philippines. Its inaugural event was held at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater in Parañaque, Philippines on November 23, 2002.[1] The URCC is under the supervision of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the government agency that sanctions games such as billiards, boxing and basketball. The URCC was founded in 2002 by Filipino BJJ Black belt Alvin Aguilar. The matches and events of the URCC are currently aired on ABS-CBN Sports and Action and ABS-CBN Sports and Action HD, URCC's official broadcast partner.[2]
Notable fights and fighters[]
A number of URCC fighters have gone on to enjoy success fighting for mainstream MMA promotions. Chinese fighter Tiequan Zhang who fought at URCC 15 went on to fight for the WEC and the UFC and is currently ranked as one of the top featherweights in the world.[3] Dave "The Scarecrow" Galera, who won the URCC Interim Bantamweight at URCC 23[4] is the first homegrown Filipino Fighter to be signed by the UFC.[5]
Kevin Belingon, Eduard Folayang and Angelito Manguray all fought for ESPN Star Sports promotion Martial Combat in 2010 [6] while Folayang and Kelly both won fights at ONE Fighting Championship: Champion vs. Champion on September 3, 2011.[7]
Actors Baron Geisler and Kiko Matos, who involved in a feud in May 2016 in a bar, were faced in an exhibition match during the URCC Fight Night card held at the Valkyrie at the Palace last June 25, 2016. This two-round fight, however ended in a unanimous draw.[8] After which, both Geisler and Matos reconciled each other.[9]
AT URCC 28: Vindication, the first-ever 3-on-3 MMA exhibition match took place.[10] The teams who competed were Team Chan and Team Estroso. All competitors were inside the cage simultaneously with three referees in charge of the action. The fight is momentarily halted after a competitor gets knocked or is unable to continue. Team Estroso won the fight with two of its fighters still standing while Team Chan was left with one.
On January 7, 2017, URCC held its first fight card in the United States of America.[11]
URCC held its second event in the United States in September 2017 in San Mateo, California. Officially called "URCC 32: Fury", the event was hosted at the San Mateo County event center and featured 3 title fights, as well as amateur fights sanctioned under California Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization (CAMO).
Events[]
# | Event | Date | Venue | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
77 | URCC: Rumble by the Bay | August 10, 2019 | Cow Palace Arena | Daly City, California, United States of America |
76 | URCC Korea 1 | June 22, 2019 | Songdo Convention Center | Incheon, South Korea |
75 | URCC 77: Raw Fury | April 27, 2019 | Cove Manila | Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines |
74 | URCC BETS 8 | December 12, 2018 | Coral Ballroom, Casino Filipino Pavilion | Ermita, Manila, Philippines |
73 | URCC: Colossal | September 29, 2018 | Smart Araneta Coliseum | Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines |
72 | URCC 34: Destiny | August 4, 2018 | Craneway Pavilion | Richmond, California, United States of America |
71 | URCC BETS 6: Battle Extreme Tournament of Superstars | June 15, 2018 | Coral Ballroom, Casino Filipino Pavilion | Ermita, Manila, Philippines |
70 | URCC 34 / Destiny MMA - Fight Night 4 | February 17, 2018 | Neal S. Blaisdell Center | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America |
69 | URCC BETS 4: Battle Extreme Tournament of Superstars | December 13, 2017 | Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino | Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines |
68 | URCC 32 - Fury: Battle of the Islands | September 30, 2017 | San Mateo County Event Center | San Mateo County, California, United States of America |
67 | URCC BETS 3: Battle Extreme Tournament of Superstars | September 15, 2017 | Coral Ballroom, Casino Filipino Pavilion | Ermita, Manila, Philippines |
66 | URCC 30: Hofmann vs. Sothmann | August 12, 2017 | Smart Araneta Coliseum | Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines |
65 | URCC BETS 2: Battle Extreme Tournament of Superstars | April 21, 2017 | Coral Ballroom, Casino Filipino Pavilion | Ermita, Manila, Philippines |
64 | URCC BETS: Battle Extreme Tournament of Superstars[12] | January 28, 2017 | Coral Ballroom, Casino Filipino Pavilion | Ermita, Manila, Philippines |
63 | URCC 29: Conquest | January 7, 2017 | Kezar Pavilion | San Francisco, California, United States of America |
62 | URCC 28: Vindication | November 6, 2016 | Marriott Grand Ballroom | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
61 | URCC Fight Night 1 | June 25, 2016 | Valkyrie at the Palace | Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines |
60 | URCC 27: Rebellion | April 23, 2016 | Marriott Grand Ballroom | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
59 | URCC 26: Domination | July 25, 2015 | Fontana Convention Hall | Clark, Angeles City |
58 | URCC 25: Takeover | October 23, 2014 | Mall of Asia Arena | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
57 | URCC: Relaunch | July 31, 2014 | Resorts World Hotel | Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines |
56 | URCC: Fight Night 1 | January 31, 2014 | BAMF MMA Center | Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines |
55 | URCC 24: Uprising | November 30, 2013 | SMX Convention Center | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
54 | URCC: Bacolod City Brawl 2013 | October 18, 2013 | L'Fisher Hotel | Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines |
53 | URCC / Tribal Gear: Dutdutan Tattoo Festival 2013 | September 27, 2013 | World Trade Center | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
52 | URCC 23: Unrivaled | April 27, 2013 | SMX Convention Center | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
51 | URCC Baguio 5: Unleashed | March 2, 2013 | Baguio Convention Center | Baguio City, Philippines |
50 | URCC Cebu 8: Survival | January 19, 2013 | J. Centre Convention Hall | Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines |
49 | URCC 22: Dekada | December 1, 2012 | Mall of Asia Arena | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
48 | URCC: Bacolod Brawl 2012 | October 19, 2012 | L'Fisher Hotel | Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines |
47 | URCC: Davao Dimaan 4 | August 26, 2012 | Grand Oases Convention Center | Davao City, Philippines |
46 | URCC 21: Warpath | April 28, 2012 | SMX Convention Center | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
45 | URCC Baguio 4: Battleground | February 18, 2012 | Baguio Convention Center | Baguio City, Philippines |
44 | URCC Cebu 7: Dominate | January 13, 2012 | Cebu International Convention Center | Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines |
43 | URCC: Rogue Magazine's Black Tie Brawl 2011 | November 19, 2011 | New World Hotel | Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines |
42 | URCC 20: XX | November 5, 2011 | World Trade Center | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
41 | URCC: Bacolod Brawl 2011 | October 16, 2011 | L'Fisher Hotel | Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines |
40 | URCC: University Challenge 2011 | September 9, 2011 | One Esplanade | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
39 | URCC: Tribal Gear: Dutdutan Tattoo Festival 2011 | August 26, 2011 | World Trade Center | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
38 | URCC: Davao Digmaan 3 | August 21, 2011 | Garden Oases Resort & Convention Center | Davao City, Philippines |
37 | URCC 19: Collision | April 2, 2011 | World Trade Center | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
36 | URCC Baguio 3: Invasion | February 19, 2011 | Baguio Convention Center | Baguio, Philippines |
35 | URCC Cebu 6: Respect | January 14, 2011 | Cebu International Convention Center | Cebu City, Philippines |
34 | URCC 18: Relenthless | November 13, 2010 | A-Venue Events Hall | Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines |
33 | URCC: Rouge Magazine's Black Brief Brawl 2010 | October 29, 2010 | New World Hotel Makati | Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines |
32 | URCC: Bacolod Brawl 2010 | October 17, 2010 | Hotel PAGCOR | Bacolod, Philippines |
31 | URCC / Tribal Gear: Dutdutan Tattoo Festival 2010 | September 24, 2010 | World Trade Center | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
30 | URCC: University Challenge 2010 | September 18, 2010 | A-Venue Events Hall | Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines |
29 | URCC: Davao Digmaan 2 | October 17, 2010 | Garden Oases Resort & Convention Center | Davao City, Philippines |
28 | URCC 17: Havoc | July 24, 2010 | A-Venue Events Hall | Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines |
27 | URCC 16: Reckoning | March 27, 2010 | A-Venue Events Hall | Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines |
26 | URCC Baguio 2: Tribal Wars | February 19, 2010 | Baguio Convention Center | Baguio City, Philippines |
25 | URCC Cebu 5: Deliverance | January 15, 2010 | Cebu International Convention Center | Cebu City, Philippines |
24 | URCC 15: Onslaught | November 21, 2009 | World Trade Center | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
23 | URCC: Rouge Magazine's Black Tie Brawl 2009 | October 24, 2009 | Ranaissance Hotel Makati | Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines |
22 | URCC Bacolod Brawl 2009 | October 17, 2009 | West Negros Gym | Negros Occidental, Philippines |
21 | URCC Davao Digmaan 2009 | August 23, 2009 | Davao Convention Center | Davao City, Philippines |
20 | URCC Cebu 4: Proving Ground | June 20, 2009 | Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines | |
19 | URCC 14: Aggression | July 18, 2009 | A.Venue Events Hall | Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines |
18 | URCC Baguio: Rumble in the Highlands | March 7, 2009 | Baguio Convention Center | Baguio City, Philippines |
17 | URCC 13: Indestructible | November 22, 2008 | A-Venue Events Hall | Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines |
16 | URCC Cebu 3: Nemesis | November 15, 2008 | Cebu International Convention Centre | Cebu, Philippines |
15 | URCC Rouge Magazine's Black Tie Brawl 2008 | October 18, 2008 | Hyatt Hotel Manila | Metro Manila, Philippines |
14 | URCC 12: Supremacy | July 5, 2008 | A. Venue Events Hall | Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines |
13 | URCC Cebu 2 | March 1, 2008 | Waterfront City Hotel | Cebu, Philippines |
12 | URCC 11: No Redemption | November 25, 2007 | One Esplanade | Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines |
11 | URCC Cebu 1 | September 1, 2007 | Royal Concourse Hall | Cebu, Philippines |
10 | URCC 10: Xrated | June 30, 2007 | The Fort | Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines |
9 | URCC 9: Unstoppable | December 2, 2006 | The Arena | San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines |
8 | URCC 8: Undisputed | May 20, 2006 | The Amoy Arena | San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines |
7 | URCC 7: The Art of War | December 10, 2005 | Araneta Coliseum | Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines |
6 | URCC 6: Unleashed Fury | June 25, 2005 | Casino Filipino | Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines |
5 | URCC 5: Beyond Fear | October 23, 2004 | Casino Filipino | Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines |
4 | URCC 4: Return to the Dungeon | April 24, 2004 | Casino Filipino | Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines |
3 | URCC 3: Siege at the Fort | September 20, 2003 | The Fort | Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines |
2 | URCC 2: Night of Champions | April 12, 2003 | PhilSports Arena | Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines |
1 | URCC 1: Mayhem in Manila | November 23, 2002 | Casino Filipino | Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines |
Rules[]
URCC-USA[]
All URCC fights hosted in the United States abide by the rules in place by the athletic commission of each respective state.
URCC[]
URCC's rules are different from those of established promotions.[13]
Match length[]
URCC matches consist of two rounds, each lasting ten minutes. Intermissions between each round are two minutes in length. All title bouts will have a 5-minute third round in case of a draw after the two rounds.
Weight classes[]
Division | Upper weight limit |
---|---|
Atomweight (Women) | 48 kg (105.8 lb; 7.6 st) |
Strawweight | 52.2 kg (115.1 lb; 8.2 st) |
Flyweight | 56.7 kg (125.0 lb; 8.9 st) |
Bantamweight | 61.2 kg (134.9 lb; 9.6 st) |
Featherweight | 65.8 kg (145.1 lb; 10.4 st) |
Lightweight | 70.3 kg (155.0 lb; 11.1 st) |
Welterweight | 77.1 kg (170.0 lb; 12.1 st) |
Middleweight | 83.9 kg (185.0 lb; 13.2 st) |
Light heavyweight | 93 kg (205.0 lb; 14.6 st) |
Cruiserweight | 102.1 kg (225.1 lb; 16.1 st) |
Heavyweight | 120.2 kg (265.0 lb; 18.9 st) |
Ring[]
The URCC uses a five-roped square ring from 2002 until 2013. On the 2014 event URCC 25: Take Over, the first URCC circular cage was released and planned to use it as official ring to the rest of the URCC history
Attire[]
URCC allows fighters latitude in their choice of attire but 4-ounce fingerless gloves and a mouthguard are mandatory. Shoes and derogatory markings on ring attire are forbidden. It is within a fighter's discretion to use other protective equipment such as groin guards.
Victory[]
Matches are won via:
- Submission
- Physical tap out
- Verbal tap out
- Knockout
- A fighter falls from a legal blow and is either unconscious or unable to immediately continue.
- Technical Knockout
- Referee Stoppage (the referee stops the match after seeing that one fighter is completely dominant to the point of endangering his opponent).
- Doctor Stoppage (the referee stops the match in the event that a fighter is injured via a legal blow and the ring doctor determines that he cannot continue).
- Forfeited Match (a fighter's corner throws in the towel).
- Decision
- If the match reaches its time limit then the outcome of the bout is determined by the three judges. The fight is scored by a 10-point must system per round. A three step procedure per round is followed:
- Determine winner of round (can be draw),
- Determine if winner dominated round ,
- Fouls then factored in (subtract one point per foul from fighter).
- Draws are acceptable in URCC matches.
- Disqualification
- A "warning" will be given in the form of a yellow card or a red card (any fighter who executes a foul technique shall be penalized with a talent fee reduction) when a fighter commits an illegal action or does not follow the referee's instruction. Two yellow cards shall lead to a disqualification "red card."
- The referee's decision will always depend upon the level of violation committed by a fighter whether it is intentional or unintentional. Therefore, the referee may execute the "red card" even without showing the first two "yellow cards" as a caution for a disqualification
- The referees are also authorized to execute the red "disqualification" card if a fighter has deliberately injured his opponent and can no longer compete.
Fouls[]
URCC considers the following to be fouls:
- Head butting.
- Eye gouging.
- Hair pulling.
- Biting.
- Fish hooking.
- Any attacks to the groin
- Strikes to the back of the head, which includes the occipital region and the spine. The sides of the head and the area around the ears are not considered to be the back of the head. (see Rabbit punch)
- Small joint manipulation (control of four or more fingers/toes is necessary).
- Intentionally throwing your opponent out of the ring.
- Running out of the ring.
- Purposely holding the ropes. Fighters cannot purposely hang an arm or leg on the ropes and it will result in an immediate warning.
- Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.
- Striking downward using the point of the elbow.
- Throat strikes of any kind including without limitation, grabbing the trachea.
- Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.
- Grabbing the clavicle.
- Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
- Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
- Stomping on a grounded opponent.
- Kicking to the kidney with a heel.
- Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck.
- Throwing an opponent out of the ring or fenced area.
- Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
- Spitting at an opponent.
- Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.
- Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area.
- Attacking an opponent on or during the break.
- Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.
- Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat.
- Flagrantly disregarding the instruction of the referee.
- Timidity, including without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.
- Interference by the corner.
- Throwing in the towel during competition.
- Exceeding numbers of cornermen.
- Unauthorized cornerman.
- Any lock which puts strain on the neck joint.
Match conduct[]
- If both fighters are on the verge of falling out of the ring or become entangled in the ropes, the referee will stop the action. The fighters must immediately stop their movements and will then be repositioned in the center of the ring in the same position. Once they are comfortably repositioned, they resume at the referee's instruction.
Current champions[]
Men
Division | Champion | Team | Record (W-L-D) |
---|---|---|---|
Strawweight | ![]() |
American Kickboxing Academy | 6-3-0 |
Flyweight | ![]() |
D' Elements MMA Warrior's | 9-4-0 |
Bantamweight | ![]() |
ToughGuys International | 8-5-0 |
Featherweight | ![]() |
Alliance Training Center PH | 18-2-0 (1 NC) |
Lightweight | ![]() |
Team BodyShop | 7-5-0 |
Welterweight | ![]() |
Hitman MMA | 5-1-0 |
Middleweight | ![]() |
Deftac | 8-1-0 |
Light Heavyweight | ![]() |
Deftac | 8-1-0 |
Cruiserweight | ![]() |
Brownhouse MMA | 9-0-0 |
Heavyweight | ![]() |
Ground and Pound MMA | 1-5-0 |
Women
Division | Champion | Team | URCC Record (W-L-D) |
---|---|---|---|
Atomweight | ![]() |
Pandan Fight Team | 3-0-0 |
Flyweight | ![]() |
Submission Sport | 3-1-0 |
References[]
- ^ "No Quarter". FHM Philippines. 33: 106. February 2003.
- ^ Villar, Joey (April 3, 2016). "URCC mapapanood sa ABS-CBN (URCC to be aired on ABS-CBN)". Pang-Masa. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
- ^ "Tiequan "The Wolf" Zhang MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography". Sherdog.com. 1978-07-25. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
- ^ [1] Archived November 22, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [2] </ Archived December 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [3] Archived February 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Press Release: Filipino Fighters Rule The Roost at ONE Fighting Championship". Mmavalor.com. September 3, 2011. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved 2015-06-26.
- ^ Bandayrel, Rafael (June 25, 2016). "Baron Geisler, Kiko Matos fight to two-round draw". Rappler. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
- ^ Gagelonia, Dennis (June 25, 2016). "Baron Geisler vs Kiko Matos ends in draw". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
- ^ "Video and Results: URCC 28 hosts crazy 3 vs 3 bout". Bloody Elbow. 7 November 2016.
- ^ "MMA: URCC invades US with 4 title fights in January". ABS-CBN News. December 22, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
- ^ "URCC, Casino Filipino team up for MMA event". ABS-CBN Sports. January 19, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
- ^ "Professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Rules". Archived from the original on 2007-06-26. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
External links[]
- 2002 establishments in the Philippines
- Mixed martial arts organizations
- Mixed martial arts events lists
- Sports in Metro Manila