For more than that eight minutes, the mixed martial arts fans were on their feet and on top of their voice, giving Saipan’s Rangamar a never-say-die encouragement.
However, referee Tony D’Angelo decided the Marianas Elite fighter had taken too much punishment so he stopped the fight in the second round. This was to the displeasure of Saipan fans.
It’s the fight that surely, Rangamar wanted to go on.
But, “fighter safety is our main concern,” D’ Angelo explained later, saying that Rangamar had taken four to five unanswered hits to the head.
The ROP-7, according Cuki Alvarez of Trench Tech Purebred Saipan, the organizer of the event had a good turnout of fight fans despite other big community events on the island.
In the under cards, Giovanni “Palaxi” Sablan defeated Maitai “The Charger” Charley one minute 40 second of the first round via referee stoppage due to flurry of punches during a rematch.
China’s Junjie “Tiger” Choi defeated the Philippine’s Aniceto “Gago” Ginaldo at 2 minutes and 48 seconds of the first round via tapout by punches. Although it was short, Alvarez noted, it was a good fight for both debut fighters as they engaged in a stand up fight aiming for a knock out win.
Tinian’s Johmar Untalan tapped out early in the first round via rear naked choke for 21 seconds against Saipan’s Louie Crisostomo.
Both fighters, Alvarez said were vying for first win.
Saipan’s Kevin “Drop Baby” Esteves lost by knock-out to Trench Tech’s Chris “No Luv” Laayug for Yap in the first minute and 56th second of the first round.
Team Pwang’s Eddie Paulis recorded his first win in two attempts as he TKO’d Trench Tech’s young gun, Joe Park at one minute and 19 seconds of the second round.
Another debut fighter, Joe “One Blow” Taga was looking to spoil the winning streak of Trench Tech’s up and comer Mark “The Dark” Nuique.
Nuique however was determined to make it three in a row and stopped Taga in the second round via referee stoppage.
Johji “Akuma” Matsunaga defeated Saipan’s Mario Reyes via verbal tapout in just one minute into the first round.
Jun “The Legend” Taga dropped to 0-2 standing after losing to Guam’s hot shot “Imfamous” Ray Apiag who made his second appearance in ROP. Taga lost by referee stoppage two minutes and 6 second of first round.
Guam’s Tyler Perrot defeated Palau’s Snyder Ongill at 39 seconds of the second round.
Perfectly matched, Perrot and Ongiil both debut fighters and weighed 220 pounds with heavy hands were also aiming a knock out win. Perrot won the fight via rear naked choke.
Slade “The Rage” Adelbai brought his rage a much heavier opponent, Guam’s Troy “Destroy” Munoz.
Adelbai tapped Munoz out in the second minute of the second round via mount and pound.
Guam’s Jess “The Spiderman” Taitano was simply just too technical and experienced for Saipan’s “Taby” Jay Muna.
Taitano ended it quickly and took the fight to the ground where he submitted Muna by triangle arm lock in just one minute 12 seconds of the first round.
Former Pacific Extreme Combat heavyweight champion Manny “The Enforcer” Chong was in championship form again as he wore down his much bigger opponent Ton “Peskadot” Robert all throughout the entire first round with solid leg licks and accurate punches.
Robert for his part couldn’t seem to find his rhythm and landed only a hand full of strikes. Robert looked tired and exhausted by the second round and signaled the referee that he had had enough and verbally tapped out before the start of second round.
