MMA fighter Ale “The Young Gun” Cali (4-1) made Philippine fight history by becoming the first homegrown Pinoy to reign as Pacific X-treme Combat international flyweight champion when he TKO’d (via punches) Fil-Guamanian Jesse “The Spiderman” Taitano (7-9-2) in the main event of PXC 29 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Philippines February 18, 2012.
The never-say-die fighter from Davao City finally clinched the title—after getting taken down repeatedly and barely escaping a couple of near-submissions in the previous rounds—with a barrage of fists which finally compelled the referee to mercifully halt the contest.
In the same way that he impressed the hometown fans with his relentless lightning-fast punches, Cali also did not hold back his Pinoy humor during his recent exclusive interview with this writer, while he awaits the still-unnamed first challenger to his title. (Note: I translated this interview from Filipino.)
Karlo Silverio III Sevilla: How old are you now and at what age did you begin training in martial arts or any combat sport? What’s your base art?
Ale Cali: I’m 21 years old, born on Nov 21, 1990. I started practicing boxing when I was 10 years old. I became an amateur boxer at 15 then I turned pro at 17 years of age.
Indeed, boxing was really my first combat sport as it was the in-sport in our city (Davao City). There was no MMA yet, only MMK (which stands for “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” the longest-running Philippine TV drama anthology).
And the truth is, even before I was born, it was already my dream to be a fighter, haha!
KS: Can you share with us your thoughts on your boxing experience?
AC: I had so many boxing matches that I no longer remember the exact count. More than a hundred, I think. You see, when you’re an amateur boxer, there are times when you fight one week straight, tournament style. And in the countless fiestas where I fought, it’s always been eating and boxing!
KS: When and where did you start training in MMA?
AC: I started in MMA in 2009 at Holiday Gym in Davao City. I was only trying it out, getting the feel of it. I started with Muay Thai and a little karate, judo and cha-cha.
KS: What can you say about your current team Beefit Python’s Pit and teammate former Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) lightweight champion [dentist] Dr. Angelito “The Saint” Manguray?
AC: What I can say about my team is, it’s very happy. There’s a lot of laughter and humor, we’re always making fun and ribbing each other. That’s why we don’t notice time passing by that we’ve been practicing for three straight hours already. Sometimes we are called “Team Relax.” I have an excellent coach and teammates. I owe a big gratitude to Team Beefit Python’s Pit.
About Dr. Angelito Manguray, he is a great trainer. We train together and are sparmates. You won’t notice his age [45] when it comes to MMA. He is fast, strong, active, irrepressible and very good in…dancing.
KS: What is your training schedule? And who are your coaches and training partners in striking and grappling?
AC: We train offseason three times a week; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays when there’s no fight. When preparing for one, it’s five to six days a week. Mornings, afternoons and evenings. It’s bloody, hard, challenging…but it’s always joyful.
Almost all of my teammates are my grappling and striking partners. It’s Dr. Angelito [the karateka] who’s our specialist in kicking and cardio. Coach Bam Posadas teaches us judo and ground techniques. My managers Otek Durante and Hazel Ogalesco also hire special trainers for me, depending on my scheduled opponent.
KS: What are your thoughts on becoming the first homegrown Pinoy champion of PXC?
AC: I’m very happy to make history. I never expected to be the very first homegrown Pinoy champion of PXC. It feels great to be a champion but it’s also tiring going through interviews, guestings, courtesy calls and parties. I’m not used to those as I’m shy.
KS: UFC fighter Mark Muñoz, during his Philippine press conference, stated that he was impressed with you that you are “an amazing striker” and would like to teach you “wrestling and grappling for a month and a half.” What’s your reaction to that?
AC: Mark Muñoz?! He’ll train me in wrestling?! Wow! I hope it really happens! Could you please remind him of his offer and ask him to make good of it? Haha. I have no money to pay him even if I’ll win three MMA belts; we can’t even afford a plane ticket. Well, unless he or anybody else sponsors me. Our team can only afford to treat him to a snack of lumpia (a stuffed pastry prepared like a spring roll), haha.
KS: What’s your opinion on your counterpart Kevin Belingon of Team Lakay, the flyweight champion of URCC? If given the chance, are you ready to fight him?
AC: Sir Kevin is very good. He has beaten one of my teammates. If he’ll be the one I’ll fight next, it’s no problem with me. I’ll train for and fight anybody whom they’ll sign for my next match, even Brock Lesnar, haha.
KS: In parting, would you like to thank anyone for your young yet successful MMA career? Do you have any messages for your fans?
AC: Thanks a lot to all those who screamed, shouted and prayed for me in my last fight. Thanks to the following: Engage Hybrid Athletic Gear; Mr. Jimmy Javier, who owns Beefit Gym; my coach Bam Posadas; trainer Dr. Angelito Manguray; managers Otek Durante and Hazel Ogalesco; my teammates even when they gang up on me in the gym; Ma’am Kandice Mallonga, Dr. Vince Vicente; Mike Soledad; my family who always supports me especially to my kuya (older brother); and to you, too, Sir Karlo Sevilla. Thank you very much!
KS: Thank you very much, too, champion. It’s been a fun exclusive interview for Bleacher Report MMA.
Karlo Silverio Sevilla is a Contributor for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.
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