Two-division champion Chris Valdez Hofmann of the Philippines took his third division title, dethroning Min Seok Kim of South Korea to grab the welterweight belt of the Universal Reality Combat Championship 83 Global “Bloodline” fight night held recently at the Zamboanga Del Norte Convention Center in Dapitan City.
Hofmann, regarded as the Manny Pacquiao of mixed martial arts, displayed true grit and power punches to put the Korean fighter to the canvas as the visitor yielded in an RSC (referee-stopped-contest) to the delight of jampacked local MMA enthusiasts and tourists as well.
“This belt is so special. My opponent is very tough, but I came here well prepared and determined to wrest another belt. This is for our kababayans, especially Zamboanguenos,” said Hofmann, who acknowledged URCC chief Alvin Aguilar and Mayor Seth ‘Bullet’ Jalosjos for bringing the historic event to Dapitan City, where national hero Dr. Jose Rizal spent his four-year exile.
Before the blockbuster bout, Mayor Jalosjos organized a tour for Team URCC as they visited significant locations related to Dr. Rizal’s exile during the Spanish colonial period.
They explored the Rizal Shrine, which features a museum filled with artifacts from Rizal’s time in Dapitan, as well as the Casa Real, which was the former seat of government during the Spanish era.
As part of the heritage tour organized by the Dapitan City Government, the URCC team was also brought to Balay Hamoy, the residence of Jose Rizal’s closest friend. During the tour, Britz Hamoy personally guided the team.