Igorot Fighter Loses UFC Fight But Wins Over 2 Million Pesos For His Gutsy Performance

In the mixed martial arts world, a fighter doesn't get rewarded for losing. However, if the fighter lost the fight by giving it his all and in the process giving the fans what they wanted to see, it could mean a jolly trip to the bank.

Roldan Sangcha-an, a standout fighter from Team Lakay, did lose last Saturday night when he faced Jon Delos Reyes of Guam at the Mall of Asia Arena in the undercard of UFC Fight Night Manila. He was submitted via a rear-naked choke in the second round. But before the fight-ending choke came, Sangcha-an gave the Guamanian hell.

When the bell was rung to signal the commencement of the first round, Sangcha-an immediately pushed forward, pressing Delos Reyes to the fence and mixing it up with strikes. He then took Delos Reyes to the ground but the latter reversed the position. A grappling match ensued as Delos Reyes tried several times to submit Sangcha-an with chokes and arm bars.

Sangcha-an was able to wither the storm and reverse the position. The fighters returned to their feet. Sangcha-an got hold of Delos Reyes's hands during a clinch and was able to push him to the ground where he attempted an unconventional submission maneuver. He was unsuccessful. The two ended the first round on their feet. It was a close round but it was a clear Delos Reyes round.

The second round was more thrilling than the first as the two fighters tried to knock each other out with power punches. Sangcha-an landed one that sent Delos Reyes to the canvas, Showing determination, Delos Reyes got back up to his feet and another striking battle ensued.

An accidental headbutt cut open a nasty gash over Delos Reyes's right eye, bathing his face with blood. Delos Reyes knocked down Sangcha-an and this marked the beginning of the end for the Cordilleran fighter. Aside from the momentary halting of the fight to allow Delos Reyes to have his cut checked by the ringside doctor, the remainder of the fight was all Delos Reyes. He took Sangcha-an's back and relentlessly pursued a submission which he eventually got when Sangcha-an finally tapped out.

The tussle was awarded the Fight of the Night. For their gutsy performances, Delos Reyes and Sangcha-an received $50,000 each as bonus. In Philippine pesos, that's roughly about 2.2 million. This is on top of the money promised to them when they singed up to fight in the event.

This was the second time that Sangcha-an fought for the UFC. His first outing for the company was a losing effort to Richie Vaculik in New Zealand last year in the undercard of UFC Fight Night: Te Huna Vs. Marquardt.

Roldan Sangcha-an at the official weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night Manila.

Another Team Lakay fighter saw action during the event. Mark Eddiva fought Levan Makashvili and lost via split decision. It was Eddiva's third fight in the UFC and his second loss under the company.

UFC Fight Night Manila was headlined by a featherweight showdown between Uriah Faber and Frankie Edgar which the latter handily won via a unanimous decision verdict. Fil-Am Mark Munoz also appeared in the card for his last fight in the UFC, defeating England's Luke Barnatt by unanimous decision.