By Patrick Lujan

Guam’s thirst for fight action will be quenched this Friday night as Brawl International 2 goes down at the Dusit Thani Hotel Ballroom.

The headliner will be Guam heavyweight champion Roque Martinez making his return after stints in the UFC and Rizin over the past six years.

He’ll be taking on Japan’s Yuichi Yokoyama. The co-main event features island boy Seay Camacho going up against Kohei Maeda from Japan.

Martinez the Matchmaker

Helping with Brawl big boss Melchor Manibusan put the event together, Martinez took on the roll as the event matchmaker – something very new to him despite being a part of many fight promotions as a fighter.

“It’s definitely been a different experience organizing the event and also fighting in the event. There’s so much work that goes into fighting and actually throwing an MMA event. There was lots and lots of hard work! But the finished product will be great!

“The fans can expect an action packed card. We have talent coming from Korea, Japan, Wales, the US Mainland and, of course Guam. Lots of up and coming talent along with some well experienced fighters. The fans are in for a treat! And I can promise I’m going to close the show out with a bang! So make sure to be there!”

As for wearing two hats leading into Friday night’s fights, Martinez said, “The biggest takeaway for me was that I didn’t realize just how hard it is to match make with all the back and forth communication with everything involved in confirming a fight. For me as a fighter, I’m very simple, I’m just down to fight anyone, any rule set, it didn’t really matter. I feel like I make matchmakers jobs very easy.”

Nine-fight Card

Nine solid fights are on tap expected to kick off at 7 pm. Young up and comers Shelby Meeks and Marley Manapat get the party started.

Wrestler Micah Lopez and Joey Crisostomo will take on a couple of Korea Top Team fighters.

Saipan’s Kelvin Fitial will try and snap his five-fight losing streak against Ben Schneider from Wales. The 39-year-old Fitial hasn’t fought on Guam since March 2017.

March 2020 was the last time Guam has had MMA action.

Special Rules

There will be no judges so bouts will be either via stoppage or a draw. Two rounds with the first round 10 minutes long and the second being five minutes long. The first few fights on the card will be two 5-minute rounds.