By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
TRENCH Tech’s Cage of Fire II lived up to its explosive name on Saturday night at the Garapan Central Park Roundhouse, delivering quick and spectacular finishes in the semi- and main events. The new no-judge, one-fall-to-a-finish format compelled fighters to seek knockouts or submissions, resulting in a thrilling night of fast-paced action.
The preliminary bouts were just as exciting as the main card. Guam’s Alvin “Sweeps” Ok claimed a TKO victory over Saipan’s Austin “Quickdraw” Arriola. Ok came out aggressively, landing consecutive strikes in the opening minute. Arriola eventually retaliated with a handful of straights, hooks, and leg kicks, causing a cut above Ok’s left eye. Despite bleeding, Ok maintained pressure, landing significant blows that forced Arriola to the cage. After slipping a few more shots through, the referee stopped the fight at 1:48 of Round 1.
Guam continued its winning streak as Artaeus “Art of War” Aquinde submitted “Drizzy” Dre Aldan. After a brief stand-up exchange, Aquinde took the fight to the ground, eventually securing side control. Aldan managed a short reversal, but Aquinde transitioned into a triangle lock and finished with an armbar, forcing Aldan to tap out at 2:01 of Round 1.
In a Saipan vs. Saipan bout, Salvatore “The Tiger” Gotti stunned spectators with a vicious knockout over Fern “Da Konvict” Quitano. Early in the fight, both fighters committed fouls, including a low blow and a grounded kick, but action quickly resumed. Before the end of Round 1, Quitano attempted a body kick, which Gotti countered with a hook that dazed him. Gotti followed with a flurry of punches to finish the fight at 2:16 of Round 1.
Other standout preliminary results included:
• John Bokuku defeating Boom Taitano via TKO at 1:17 of Round 2
• Keith “Rowdy Rebel” Aldan submitting Manuelito “MJ” Erediano in 36 seconds of Round 1
• CJ “The Rookie” Sablan and Mathew Salas ending in a draw
The card also featured striking contests in kickboxing and boxing. In kickboxing:
• Quintin “Baby Rampage” Duenas won via TKO against Derek San Nicolas at 1:00 of Round 2
• Adrian Lorenzo claimed a TKO victory over Renz “Da Intense” Reyes at 1:20 of Round 2
Fights between Ibraham “Jie” Njie and Javen Montenegro, Jonny “Bonez” Lee and Jimmy “Crazy Ray” Polk, and Justin De Leon and Jommy “Hot Tamale” Tubale all ended in draws
Boxing bouts opened the event with intense action, though fights between Glaine Cepeda and Kody “Cage” Palacios and Ernesto Licop and Enoch Pamintuan ended in draws.
Special thanks to event sponsors IT&E, Miller Lite, Monster Energy, Century Hotel, Hafa Adai Rent-A-Car, Crank Industries, Fokai International, and DC Pro Rentals.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
