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By Patrick Lujan

Filipino fighter Troy Bantiag and Trevin Jones exchange kicks during the first round of their PXC 37 fight in the Philippines. (photo by Andre Gadia)

After his last loss to Kyle Aguon in PXC 36 just two months ago, Trevin Jones begged to get back into the cage.

Jones redeemed that loss Saturday night in PXC 37, taking the tough Troy Bantiag out of his stand-up element and controlling the ground game on his way to a unanimous 29-28, 30-27, 29-28 decision in a bantamweight event.

“He’s the toughest I’ve fought and I’ve fought some tough dudes,” Jones said. “This dude wanted to kill me.”

Bantiag, coming off a big win over Guam’s Tony Reyes and riding a 5-1 record, is a wushu fighter known for his kicks fighting out of the heralded Team Lakay in Baguio.

It turned out to be a sobering night for Team Lakay as other members tasted defeat, including bantamweight champion Crisanto Pitpitunge, who lost his belt by unanimous decision to Japanese dynamite Michinori Tanaka 48-46, 48-46, 48-46.

For Jones it was a good feeling afterward, even though he needed six stitches above his left eye immediately following the fight.

“I’m not scared to fight, but I’m scared of stitches,” the victorious Jones said.

This is how GSPN saw the match round-by-round:

Troy Bantiag 5’6″ 135lb. vs. Trevin Jones 5’7′ 136lb. 

1st round

Donny Elvina referee…Jones with early takedown. Jones controlling from top position. Batiag gets up. Double kick from both at the same time excites the crowd. Jones with the clinch on the cage, referee breaks them up. Jones with another takedown and has top position again. Action stalls with Jones on top. Bantiag lands kick to Jones’ face from the bottom. Jones with a hard right with Bantiag on the ground right before the bell. GSPN gives the first round to Jones.

2nd round

Bantiag low leg kick. Hand exchange. Bantiag trying to get control on the cage but Jones turns it around. Jones with some takedown attempts stuffed by Bantiag. More cage work with Jones getting the upper hand. Jones with a good take down off a foot sweep with Bantiag holding onto the cage. Jones with top position in tight quarters for the last two minutes of the round.  Slow round with a slight edge to Jones.

3rd round

Bantiag low leg kick. Jones with a lift and body slam. Jones with top position. Bantiag trying to fight from the bottom. Both exchanging hits under closed guard with Jones still on top. Bantiag trying all he can from the bottom but Jones is controlling the top. Ref stands them up with a minute to go. Bantiag low leg kick then a body kick. Jones bleeding from the left eye area. Bantiag with a few more leg kicks to end the round. Bantiag finishes strong with Jones looking exhausted. GSPN gives the last round to Bantiag. Jones 29-28

Official results: Jones def. Bantiag 29-28, 30-27, 29-28

Cornerman Drew Palomo, who earlier in the day won a silver medal blue belt Pan Asian Championships, gives Jones advise in between rounds. (photo by Andre Gadia)

OTHER RESULTS

New bantamweight champion: Michinori Tanaka def. Crisanto Pitpitunge via decision

48-46, 48-46, 48-46

Jang Yong Kim def. Nate Thorell via kimura (1st, 2:00)

Reno Remigio def. Hong Seung Chan via TKO (3rd, 2:09)

Ernesto Montilla  def. Jerome Manawan via TKO (2nd, 3:25)

Syafiq Abdul Samad def. Wesley Machado via armbar (2nd, 4:12)

Takumi Nakayama def. Jonathan Pecyna via kimura (1st, 3:20)

Rolando Gabriel Dy def. Arex Montalban via armbar (1st, 4:57)

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Jones had the upper hand up against the cage for most of the fight. (photo by Andre Gadia)

Bantiag and Jones shake hands prior to the third and final round. (photo by Andre Gadia)

Jones looks to attack standing up. (photo by Andre Gadia)

Bantiag some of his trademark leg kicks for Jones, for the most part, limited that with a good ground game. (photy by Andre Gadia)

Jones gets his arm raced in victory. (photo by Andre Gadia)

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