Rodian Menchavez Boxer-Turned-MMA Fighter


Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) bantamweight fighter Rodian Menchavez (4-1) believes he's getting into a groove, slowly but surely. The boxer-turned-MMA fighter is coming off of a successful effort against Mohd Rizal Ismail at Golden Warriors Fighting Championship: Night of Warriors in Penang, Malaysia last July 22, winning easily via submission (RNC) in the first round. This marked Menchavez' first cage appearance in the international scene and as the co-main event of the evening.

The 23-year-old Rodian took his first round victory by rear naked choke this 2017 for the second time already. Menchavez with a very fast paced and very aggressive opening. Hard punches and dominant control on the ground after a hard takedown. He defeated Benedicto Alumno at URCC: Casino Filipino Battle Extreme Tournament of Superstars I last January 8.

"The Redeemer" fought three times in ten months during 2016.

Menchavez escaped and worked ground-and-pound from the guard when Arjay Bongala looked for an arm triangle. His opponent has no way of getting out. Referee called the fight via TKO at URCC 28: Vindication in November of 2016.

Rodian Menchavez hails from Cataingan, Masbate and started with a love for boxing, He took up Mixed Martial Arts in 2015 and mentioned Ruel Catalan to explain his departure from the former sport.

Coach Ruel Catalan just saw me and asked me to train for MMA. He showed to me his fights from the past. I only know boxing then. I get used to it and now I am here. (Nag influence sakin si Coach Ruel Catalan niyaya niya ako mag MMA. Ipinakita niya sakin yung mga dati niya laban dati kasi boxing lang ang alam ko eh. Nagustuhan ko na rin. Yun, pinagpatuloy ko na ang MMA.)

I competed in a boxing match before in our barangay. (Lumaban na po ako noon sa boxing mga pam barangay nga lang po hehehe.)

Menchavez took his skills to the next level at Catalan Fighting System.

My first amateur fight was in Bacolod at Brawl Revert. I won this fight in the first round with a guillotine choke. (Unang amateur fight ko sa Bacolod. Sa Brawl Revert po yun ma'am.)

Rodian Menchavez made his URCC debut in June 2016 a successful one with a second-round TKO win over Benjie Tabaranza.

Just goes to show that failure in one league does not guarantee failure in another. Menchavez has the bitter taste of defeat by Ahmed Mujtaba which marked the first loss of his professional MMA career at UGB MMA Championship 13: Foreign Invasion in January of last year. He has been one of the most motivated fighters that made him push harder to bounce back.

Rodian revealed who his favorite fighters are. It can be from any combat sports.

I have two in ONE Championship. Eduard Folayang and Angela Lee.  Another two in the UFC. Jose Aldo and Jon Jones. (Idol ko sa ONE Championship si Edward Folayang at Angela Lee. Sa UFC naman si Jose Aldo at Jon Jones.)

He was asked also who he wants to fight next in the URCC.

I will call out no one. I will fight whoever they want me to fight. (Wala pa po ako gusto makalaban. Kung sino lang ipapalaban sakin yun lalabanan ko.)

Let us support Rodian Menchavez and all of the great young talents that are competing! They are the future of Philippine MMA. Find out who will be on our next feature.

If you want to train with Rodian Menchavez. Come down and visit Catalan Fighting System Philippines.



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