 |
| Mark Striegl is back in the Octagon after nearly two years. ONE Championship (file photo) |
MANILA—Filipino-American mixed martial artist Mark Striegl returns to the Octagon this coming Feb. 20 (Philippine Time) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, when he battles American Chas Skelly in a featherweight bout.
This will be Striegl’s second UFC match since his debut in UFC Fight Night 180 last October 17, 2020 where Russian fighter Said Nurmagomedov knocked him out in the first round.
“I am super excited about this fight,” enthused Striegl. “I have signed a contract for the fight. Oddly enough, Chas and I have the same professional fight record of 18-3-0 (wins-loss-draws). I am definitely excited and gunning for my first win.”
Striegl’s preparation for the fight is also the subject of a mini-documentary that is being produced by the Philippines newest sports channel Tap Digital Media Ventures. The three-part documentary that recounts Striegl’s journey from Japan to promotions like the URCC, PXC, and One Championship all the way to the UFC.
“Tap DMV is excited to be working with Mark Striegl and to bring not only his fights, but also the UFC to the Filipino audience which is considered as one of the most rabid MMA fan bases in the world,” said Tap DMV’s marketing manager Rely San Agustin. “The 10-15-minute three-part documentary titled ‘Mark Streigl: The Road Back to the UFC’ will be shown on Feb. 2, 19, and 16. All on Wednesdays.”
Striegl is currently at George Castro’s MMA Lab in Peoria, Arizona where he has been training since Jan. 3.
“There is a huge advantage coming in early to the United States where I get to train in one place as opposed to moving around in Manila because of the pandemic protocols,” explained Striegl.
“Plus, I get to train under a former MMA fighter in George himself,” added Mark.
Castro mostly fought in the World Fighting Federation and posted a 3-2 record with one no contest.
“Another plus, is I work out and train with Bryce Meredith who is a four-time US NCAA All-American in wrestling. When you work with high level training partners, it really increases your learning and confidence.”
Meredith who is more known as a freestyle wrestler, recently entered the realm of mixed martial arts where he won his first fight against Steven Merrill with a first round technical knockout at the Legacy Fighting Alliance.
“It’s all camp training and working out then rest,” summed up Striegl. “It allows me to really focus and prepare.”
“Some fighters have the benefit of several months of training, but we take what is given to us and make the most out of the opportunity.”
Mark Striegl’s second UFC match in Fight Night 201 will be televised on Sunday, Feb. 20 over the Premier Sports channel on Skycable and Cignal as well as the TapGo streaming application.
.jpg)
