Universal Reality Combat Championship

Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) is the first professional mixed martial arts event based in the Philippines. Its inaugural event was held at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater in Paranaque City, Philippines on November 23, 2002.^[1] The URCC is under the supervision of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the government agency that sanctions games such as billiards, boxing and basketball. The URCC was founded in 2002 by Filipino BJJ Black belt Alvin Aguilar, who has been involved in the underground fighting scene for some time.

Notable Fighters

A number of URCC fighters have gone on to enjoy success fighting for mainstream MMA promotions. Chinese fighter Tiequan Zhang who fought at URCC 15 went on to fight for the WEC and the UFC and is currently ranked as one of the top featherweights in the world. ^[2]

Kevin Belingon, Eduard Folayang and Angelito Manguray all fought for ESPN Star Sports promotion Martial Combat in 2010 ^[3] while Folayang and Kelly both won fights at ONE Fighting Championship: Champion vs. Champion on September 3rd 2011. ^[4]

Events

Rules

URCC's rules are different from those of established promotions.^[5]

Match length

URCC matches consist of two rounds, each lasting ten minutes. Intermissions between each round are two minutes in length. All title bouts will have a 5-minute third round in case of a draw after the two rounds.

Weight classes

• Pinweight (110-119 lbs)
• Flyweight (120-129 lbs)
• Bantamweight (130-139 lbs)
• Featherweight (140-149 lbs)
• Lightweight (150-159 lbs)
• Welterweight (160-169 lbs)
• Middleweight (170-179 lbs)
• Light Heavyweight (180-189 lbs)
• Cruiser Weight (190-199 lbs)
• Heavyweight (206 lbs and above)

Ring

The URCC uses a five-roped square ring.

Attire

URCC allows fighters latitude in their choice of attire but 4-ounce fingerless gloves and a mouthguard are mandatory. Shoes and derogatory markings on ring attire are forbidden. It is within a fighter's discretion to use other protective equipment such as groin guards.

Victory

Matches are won via:

• Submission
  • Physical tap out
  • Verbal tap out
• Knockout
  • A fighter falls from a legal blow and is either unconscious or unable to immediately continue.
• Technical Knockout
  • Referee Stoppage (the referee stops the match after seeing that one fighter is completely dominant to the point of endangering his opponent).
  • Doctor Stoppage (the referee stops the match in the event that a fighter is injured via a legal blow and the ring doctor determines that he cannot continue).
  • Forfeited Match (a fighter's corner throws in the towel).
• Decision
  • If the match reaches its time limit then the outcome of the bout is determined by the three judges. The fight is scored by a 10-point must system per round. A three step procedure per round is followed:

1. Determine winner of round (can be draw),
2. Determine if winner dominated round ,
3. Fouls then factored in (subtract one point per foul from fighter).

• • Draws are acceptable in URCC matches.
• Disqualification
  • A "warning" will be given in the form of a yellow card or a red card (any fighter who executes a foul technique shall be penalized with a talent fee reduction) when a fighter commits an illegal action or does not follow the referee's instruction. Two yellow cards shall lead to a disqualification "red card."
  • The referee's decision will always depend upon the level of violation committed by a fighter whether it's intentional or unintentional. Therefore, the referee may execute the "red card" even without showing the first two "yellow cards" as a caution for a disqualification
  • The referees are also authorized to execute the red "disqualification" card if a fighter has deliberately injured his opponent and can no longer compete.

Fouls

URCC considers the following to be fouls:

1. Head butting.
2. Eye gouging.
3. Hair pulling.
4. Biting.
5. Fish hooking.
6. Any attacks to the groin
7. Strikes to the back of the head, which includes the occipital region and the spine. The sides of the head and the area around the ears are not considered to be the back of the head. (see Rabbit punch)
8. Small joint manipulation (control of four or more fingers/toes is necessary).
9. Intentionally throwing your opponent out of the ring.
10. Running out of the ring.
11. Purposely holding the ropes. Fighters cannot purposely hang an arm or leg on the ropes and it will result in an immediate warning.
12. Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.
13. Striking downward using the point of the elbow.
14. Throat strikes of any kind including without limitation, grabbing the trachea.
15. Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.
16. Grabbing the clavicle.
17. Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
18. Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
19. Stomping on a grounded opponent.
20. Kicking to the kidney with a heel.
21. Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck.
22. Throwing an opponent out of the ring or fenced area.
23. Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
24. Spitting at an opponent.
25. Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.
26. Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area.
27. Attacking an opponent on or during the break.
28. Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.
29. Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat.
30. Flagrantly disregarding the instruction of the referee.
31. Timidity, including without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.
32. Interference by the corner.
33. Throwing in the towel during competition.
34. Exceeding numbers of cornermen.
35. Unauthorized cornerman.
36. Any lock which puts strain on the neck joint.

Match conduct

• If both fighters are on the verge of falling out of the ring or become entangled in the ropes, the referee will stop the action. The fighters must immediately stop their movements and will then be repositioned in the center of the ring in the same position. Once they are comfortably repositioned, they resume at the referee's instruction.

Current champions

External links

• URCC Official Website
• MMA Manila
• Gracie Barra Philippines Official Website
• List of Events on Sherdog

References