MANILA, Philippines – After sitting on the sidelines for 17 months, Filipino fighter Glen Ranillo will make his return to active competition as he battles Australian lightweight Aydin Mrouki on the undercard of PXC 53 on April 8.
Ranillo confirmed the fight to Rappler, though the Guam-based mixed martial arts promotion has yet to make an announcement.
The 32-year-old native of Baler, Aurora was supposed to square off with Seung Chan Hong on the same fight card, but the Korean was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed injury.
With nearly 3 weeks to go before PXC 53, Mrouki stepped in to take Hong’s spot and face Ranillo inside the promotion’s Terror Dome.
Ranillo (4-3) was last seen in action when he yielded to Japanese stalwart Chuji Kato in a lopsided contest for the vacant PXC lightweight championship in November 2014.
Prior to his disappointing defeat to Kato, Ranillo was riding high on a 3-fight winning streak, scoring statement-making victories over the likes of Mark Billena, Isaiah Ordiz and Reno Remigio.
The long layoff allowed Ranillo to train with high-caliber fighters in the Asian region at AKA Thailand, which is owned by UFC alumnus Mike Swick.
With the new-found confidence to continue his prizefighting career, Ranillo seeks to make another case for the PXC lightweight title, which was relinquished by Kato after opting to call it a day as a professional fighter.
“I will fight anyone who is in front of me as long as it will lead me to another shot at the PXC lightweight title,” he said.
Like Ranillo, Mrouki (2-1) has been inactive since 2014 when he bowed down to compatriot Ali Cevik via first-round stoppage in August of that year under the Brace for War umbrella.
Mrouki has not gone the distance in his last 3 outings, winning his first two matches by either knockout or submission.
PXC 53, which takes place at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City, is headlined by a welterweight championship clash between current titleholder Zebastian Kadestam and Finland's Glenn Sparv.
Rolando Gabriel Dy locks horns with Japanese combatant Koyomi Matsushima in the co-main event, while Team Lakay’s Jon Chris Corton takes on Hawaiian flyweight Riley Dutro. – Rappler.com