Platinum Fighting Productions: Revitalizing Asian MMA

By RJ Clifford

 With the loss of Pride Fighting Championships in Japan and K-1’s globetrotting, Platinum Fighting Productions saw a need to bring MMA to the Asian masses again. And bring MMA they did! 

With over 30 years of experience, Platinum Fighting Productions is preparing to undertake their biggest test to date with Ring of Fire in Manila, Philippines on December 8th. Ron De La Torre, CEO of Platinum Fighting Productions, will attempt to fill the gap left over from the now defunct PrideFC organization. “MMA is new to the Philippines,” says De La Torre. “You talk about boxing and you can fill a stadium in two days. We believe we can do the same thing with MMA.”

The Philippines, located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, is a beautiful country covered in tropical rainforests and mountains that attracts tourists from around the world. Riding on the success of the famous “Thrilla in Manila” boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, De La Torre will attempt to create the MMA version for the fight-happy Filipinos. Held at the 22,000-capacity Arnetta Stadium where the original boxing extravaganza took place, he promises a top of the line production.

A unique element to this historic event is the team format that will be in place for these fights. Four male fighters and one female fighter from each of the four teams will compete against five fighters from one of the opposing teams; the winning team advances to the finals. The fights will be held in a circular cage with elbows, stomps and knees to the head of grounded opponents all being legal! The California State Athletic Commission will supply the judges for the event. 

Four legendary coaches that require no introduction will attempt to guide their team to victory. Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Josh Barnett and Gokor Chivichyan will showcase their unique coaching styles and techniques through their four respective teams. Team Gracie will bring a solid Brazilian jiu-jitsu base, Team Shamrock will have a well-rounded mixture of power and submissions, Team Barnett will bring an effective catch wrestling style and Team Gokor will have powerful judo. Bobby Gamboa will lead a team of alternates in the event a fighter is unable to compete.

The coaches are by no means the only MMA stars involved. Slated to compete are UFC veterans Vernon White, Ricco Rodriguez, Jeff Monson, Renato “Babalu” Sobral and Ivan Salaverry. Other notables include Erik Paulson, Gabe Ruediger and Justin McCully. The announcer’s booth will have star power of its own with Heath Herring as host while Erik Apple and “Razor” Rob McCullough serve as commentators. The ability to bring this much star power to a first event half way around the world is really a testament to Platinum Fighting Productions’ commitment to this experience.

Team Gracie is slated to compete against Team Shamrock while Team Barnett will square off against Team Gokor with the winners advancing to the finals in Macau, China. After their first two shows, Platinum Fighting Productions will host three more fights in Korea, Japan and back to Manila for a total of five shows. A mixture of super fights will accompany the team format in future shows with past coaches entering the cage themselves and fighting.

Ron De La Torre and his staff have gathered up some of the most respected names in the sport and have spared no expense in their attempt to deliver the best possible show they can. “We will put MMA on the map in Southeast Asia,” resounds De La Torre confidently. “This pay-per-view event will be huge and will earn its title as the ‘Thrilla in Manila II.’”

 For more on the event, log on to www.Platinumfightingproductions.com.

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