After losing two fights in a row, Crisanto Pitpitunge is finally back in the winning column after a decisive victory over Josh Duenas in a thrilling fight at the University of Guam Field House in Guam. Fighting for the Pacific X-Treme Combat for the seventh time, Pitpitunge imposed his will on Duenas the whole duration of the bout. All three judges scored the fight 30-27 in favor of the Team Lakay fighter.
In the opening round, Duenas immediately went for a takedown which Pitpitunge stuffed. Reversing the position, Pitpitunge was able to land knees and punches on Duenas. The Cordilleran then secured a takedown and worked on his ground and pound. The round ended with both fighters cut.
The second stanza was all Pitpitunge as he landed knees and punches at will while Duenas was pressed to the cage. Although Duenas was able to fight back in spurts, the referee should've stopped the fight right there. Or at least Duenas' corner should've thrown in the towel. Their fighter was getting a lot of unnecessary punishment from Pitpitunge. Nearing the end of the round, Pitpitunge looked like he punched himself out with all the energy he spent attacking Duenas. Duenas was able to land a couple of punches before the bell rang to end the second round.
The two fighters spent most of the third round on the ground with Pitpitunge on top. Duenas was able to make it to his feet once but was taken down again by Pitpitunge.
With the win, Pitpitunge improves his record to 6 wins and 3 losses. His opponent, Josh Duenas, drops to 4 wins and 5 losses.
Crisanto Pitpitunge (on top) pins Josh Duenas of Saipan to the mat during their fight at PXC 44. Photo by PXC. |
Troy Bantiag, Pitpitunge's Team Lakay team mate also fought in the card but failed to secure a victory. Bantiag succumbed to Kyle Aguon via a kimura lock in the first round. The whole affair was a grappling match as Aguon took the fight to the ground. Pinning and keeping Bantiag on the mat, Aguon found his chance for a submission and took it. The fight would be Bantiag's third loss in a row. His record now stands at 5 wins and 4 losses.
Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao was absent during the event as he flew to Auckland, New Zealand where another Team Lakay fighter will be fighting for the Ultimate Fighting Championship on June 28. Taking Sangiao's place in the fighters' corner was Eduard Folayang. Sangiao is in New Zealand for his ward Roldan Sangcha-an's bout with RichieVaculik in the undercard of UFC Fight Night: Te Huna Vs. Marquardt.