Manglona said his opponent withdrew for unknown reasons. The bout was scheduled in a Deep Mayhem Fighting MMA event.
“The guy pretty much didn’t want to fight,” the Tinian-native told Variety in an email.
“We weighed in and met and everything. When it came down to contract signing, his corner(men) didn’t want to take the fight so it didn’t happen. I was very disappointed because I was looking forward to my first international fight.”
The road however, doesn’t stop there as Manglona gears up for another bout versus Guam’s Ryan Biglar. The two will clash in Guam’s Pacific X-treme Combat 27 on October 29 for a number one contender spot for the vacant welterweight title.
According to Manglona, the cancellation was a “blessing in disguise” to his trainers.
“Now I can get ready for my fight with Biggs and not have to worry about healing or injury,” he said.
“I now look forward to my fight with Ryan Biglar. I feel great and am very hungry. I am going to continue to train hard and work hard. I promise our battle will be a war.”
Last month, Manglona scored two gold medals and one silver from the ADCC Korea Championship and BJJ Adidas Cup in Seoul.
He says he plans to return to Saipan in December.
