Fil-Am MMA legend Mark Striegl will debut in UFC

Mark Striegl will test the waters of UFC (Anton Tabuena)

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

One of the most decorated Mixed Martial Arts fighters in the Philippines and the whole of Southeast Asia will give it a shot in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Mark Striegl, already considered a legend in the PH as an undisputed featherweight champion in the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC), will have to vacate his belt after announcing his newest pathway to stardom.

The 32-year-old Fil-Am holds an astounding record of 18-2 and is the newest signee under UFC and Dana White who will immediately prove his worth this August 23 against a fellow newcomer, Timur Valiev.

Valiev, one of the rising stars in Russia, also holds an impressive record of 16-2 and will try to test Striegl’s experience and ring presence.

“I fought everywhere but the UFC is definitely the promotion that has alluded me my whole career so definitely yeah, I’m here in Vegas to make that dream come true and to make this opportunity happen,” said Striegl.

Although a featherweight for most of his MMA career, Striegl will be competing in the bantamweight division of the UFC.

“Bantamweight I always felt is my most competitive weight and it takes a little bit of discipline to get there but it’s not a problem,” added Striegl.