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Rebel FC dares to be different

SINGAPORE — They may be the new kids on the block in the mixed martial arts (MMA) scene, but local promotion Rebel Fighting Championship (FC) — formed last May — are not shying away from mixing it up with industry juggernauts Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and ONE FC.

SINGAPORE — They may be the new kids on the block in the mixed martial arts (MMA) scene, but local promotion Rebel Fighting Championship (FC) — formed last May — are not shying away from mixing it up with industry juggernauts Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and ONE FC.

To set themselves apart, Rebel FC conducted an open draw yesterday for their Aug 1 Battle Royale event, their second night here since their December debut at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

At the Suntec City Convention and Exhibition Centre, former Singapore national swimmer-turned MMA fighter May Ooi drew out the names of the eight Rebel FC fighters from a fish bowl for their quarter-final bouts — moving away from the traditional convention.

“I thought this would make things more exciting and throw an element of surprise,” said Rebel FC’s Singaporean owner, Justin Leong. “The fighters welcomed the move too.”

And in a thinly-veiled swipe at his industry rivals, Leong added: “UFC based a lot of their decisions on commercial factors — including these match-ups — and ONE FC and other promotions are just trying hard to copy them.

“We want to be different, we want to make it about the entertainment, about our fighters — caring for them, and connecting them with their fans. We also want to give opportunities for Singaporean fighters to fight with our amateur cards.”

Since Monday, the eight fighters for the August fight card have been visiting local MMA gyms, taking part in meet-and-greet sessions with the public, and filming for a two-episode documentary due to be aired next month.

Filipino Reydon Romero, who has been paired with Japan’s Yojiro Uchimura, was heard saying in passing: “It feels funny, and I have never done anything like that before. We became friends, before beating the crap out of each other.”

Two former UFC fighters are among the eight, including American Will Chope (19-6), who was removed from the UFC roster after news of past domestic violence surfaced. UFC’s loss, for Leong, is Rebel FC’s gain.

“I do not agree with how, and why UFC (removed Chope),” he said. “Chope found out about his axing via Twitter. We should be more compassionate with our fighters. He was 18 then, and we all made mistakes when we were 18.”

For Chope, leaving UFC is “a blessing in disguise”, as he said: “Rebel FC is behind me as I now fight for redemption. What I like most is it allows its fighters to fight for other promotions, so I am also with Taiwan’s Pro FC and a number of other smaller promotions.

“UFC does not allow its fighters to do that and neither does ONE FC, and I am thankful Rebel’s bosses understand how fighters need many fights to earn a living.”

Quarter-final match-ups on Aug 1:

Will Chope (19-6) vs Mauricio Dos Santos (10-8)

Miguel Torres (41-7) vs Takahiro Ashida (12-2)

Michael Tobin (8-0) vs Pat Promrangka (5-4)

Reydon Romero (7-4) vs Yojiro Uchimura (11-6)

*Semi-finals and grand final to take place at a later date

*Tickets for Rebel FC 2: Battle Royale will be on sale at all SISTIC outlets from May 16

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