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By Patrick Lujan

The upcoming edition of Pacific Xtreme Combat promises to live  up to the high expectations set forth by previous big cards. PXC 38 will feature top-notch competitors – including the long-awaited return of Saipan’s Frank ‘The Crank’ Camacho – on Aug. 9th at the UOG Field House.

PXC released the exciting fight card Tuesday morning so lets break down the featured bouts.

Kyle Aguon (5-3) vs. Russell Doane (9-1)

Aguon is on a three-fight win streak and is coming off a big unanimous decision win over  Trev Jones. Doane, coming out of the 808 Top Team, could be Aguon’s biggest challenge yet. The Hawaii fighter sports a 9-1 mark with his only blemish coming last November from new bantamweight champion Michinori Tanaka.

“The winner will be the No. 1 contender for Tanaka, depending on how the guys perform,” PXC CEO Joey Calvo said. “Both guys are extremely well-rounded and I don’t see a weakness in their games. They’re both decent strikers and they both have really good jiu-jitsu and wrestling so I think it’s going to be who imposes their will.”

Frank ‘The Crank’ Camacho (10-2) vs. Koshi Matsumoto (9-4-1)

Matsumoto is one of the top lightweight contenders and another win will put him in line for a shot at champion Harris Sarmiento. The Japanese fighter will have his ears full as the Guam crowd welcomes back Saipan’s Frank ‘The Crank’, who hasn’t fought in more than four years.

“He’s been living off island for a few years and now he’s back on the island and we get to see him fight again,” Calvo said about Camacho. “From the time he was 16, he was one of the top prospects here in the Marianas. We feel very fortunate to have him back here and we’re looking forward to seeing him fight.”

Camacho will be itching to get back into the PXC cage where he was last seen beating Ryan Bigler by split decision in 2007.

Josh Calvo (7-3) vs. Anthony Torres (5-2)

Guam’s Calvo, who resides in Washington, will be making his second appearance in the PXC after an impressive debut in March.

“I was nervous the first time around,” the 24-year-old said. Nerves didn’t show. He’ll need to control those nerves as he takes on UFC veteran Torres, who’s originally from Saipan but now calls Hawaii home. Torres first fought in 2000 and has a UFC victory over Pat Healy in 2006, but he’s lost his last two fights and hasn’t been active in more than five years.

Kailin Curran (1-0) vs. Emi Tomimatsu (5-6)

Curran became Guam’s sweetheart after a gutty win in PXC 36 and fight fans should be ready for an encore.

“She never backed down and she came forward and was looking to finish throughout the whole fight and the Guam fans appreciate that,” the PXC CEO said. “But she’s not fighting a pushover. Tomimatsu is one of the top female prospects in Japan. A lot of the experienced male fighters play it safe. When the female fighters come up, they just lay it all on the line and leave everything in the cage. ”

NINE-FIGHT CARD

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