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Nationwide round-up

Mayors given 60 days to clear roads and sidewalks from obstructions


THE DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will soon release a formal directive to local government units (LGUs) to clear roads and sidewalks from obstructions within 60 days, and mayors who fail to do so could face suspension. DILG Undersecretary Epimaco V. Densing III cited illegal vendors and illegally parked cars as causes of traffic. “Kapag ‘di nila nagawa ‘yung paglilinis ng (If they fail to comply within) 60 days, magkakaroon kami ng imebstigasyon (we will conduct an investigation)…. once we see that there is gross negligence of duty, we can recommend a suspension of the mayor, and the President, without second thought, will sign our recommendation,” said Mr. Densing in a chance interview with reporters during the Metro Manila Council meeting on Thursday. During his State of the Nation Address last Monday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte called for the smooth flow of traffic, particularly in urban areas. Mr. Densing also said that local councils should review their respective traffic ordinances, while LGUs should consider having their own towing equipment for illegally parked vehicles. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Bill on ROTC alternative filed

A BILL providing for an alternative Citizen Service Program, instead of the proposed mandatory Reserved Officers’ Training Corp. (ROTC), has been filed in the Senate. Senator Imee R. Marcos, in filing Senate Bill No. 413, opposed President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s request to revive the ROTC for students in Grades 11 and 12. “Nag-o-offer ako ng choice sa (I am offering another choice from) ROTC,” Ms. Marcos said in a briefing on Thursday, noting that the mandatory military training is against United Nations resolutions signed by the Philippines. “We can’t allow our youth to go through that,” she said. The bill’s proposed Citizen Service Program will be offered from grade school up to college. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Spokesman reassures teachers Duterte will keep campaign promise

MALACAÑANG ON Thursday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte is not dropping his campaign promise to “double” the salaries of teachers. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo made the statement after the President said teachers’ salaries will now be adjusted just “a little bit” in the proposed new Salary Standardization Law. In a press briefing, Mr. Panelo said the President is “definitely not” dropping his campaign promise to public school teachers to double their salaries. “Love niya ang mga teachers (He loves teachers),” the spokesman said. In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, the President said of the teachers’ salary increase: “It is now time for Congress to approve a new version of the Salary Standardization Law. Ngayon na (It must be now).” He added, “And to the teachers — who toil and work tirelessly to educate our young, kasali na po dito ‘yung hinihingi ninyo. Hindi naman masyadong malaki, pero (this will include what you have been asking for. It will not be much but) it will tide you over during these hard times. A little bit bigger than before.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

DoTr, LTO, ImagineLaw sign deal to push for strict speed limit implementation

THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DOTr) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and non-government organization ImagineLaw to jointly push for the nationwide implementation of speed limits through the local government units (LGUs). The MoU is contained under Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2018-001, which provides the Guidelines and Standards for the Classification of Roads, Setting of Speed Limits under Republic Act No. 4136, and Collection of Road Crash Data. At the signing, DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Richmund M. de Leon also encouraged citizens to participate in the campaign by calling on their local leaders to implement the ordinance. “It will be jointly enforced by LTO and the local government units kaya ‘pag nagkaroon na sila ng ordinansa (so once they have the local ordinance)… the local government themselves can enforce the speed limit ordinance,” he said. Under the JMC, the DOTr is tasked to fund training activities for the speed enforcement training of LGUs, which will be conducted by ImagineLaw by bringing in international policing experts. The LTO will be ensuring that the effort will be sustained through information, education, and communication campaigns. ImagineLaw Executive Director Sophia Monica V. San Luis said a related website called “Dahan-dahan sa Daan” will be launched in September. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

Nayong Pilipino to be rebranded Nayon Clark Park; launch set Oct. 28

THE NAYONG Pilipino, a theme park showcasing Filipino culture, will be relaunched on Oct. 28 under a new name: Nayon Clark Park. Nayong Pilipino Foundation, Inc. (NPF) Executive Director Michelle Aguilar-Ong said several facilities of the 5.6-hectare park are currently undergoing renovation and improvements, including the theater area. “The park is also aimed to be the home of every young and struggling artists in various fields,” Ms. Ong said in a statement released by Clark Development Corp. Upon reopening, the theater is intended to be used for daily cultural shows, while the food park will also have stalls for souvenir and novelty items. The lagoon, one of the main attractions when Expo Pilipino was established in 1998, will also be used for entertainment purposes, according to Ms. Ong. NPF will also be launching a new logo featuring the Vanda Sanderiana flower, an orchid commonly known in the Philippines as waling-waling. The Nayong Pilipino, originally located in the capital near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, was transferred to Clark in July 2002 and reopened in 2007. It is popular for replicas and miniatures of Philippine tourist destinations and indigenous people villages. With the relaunch, Ms. Ong said NPF will be “aggressive in marketing the new theme park, targeting not only students and educational field trips but also for tourism activities replicating the meeting, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) thrust of Clark Development Corporation.” By Oct., the park will be made part of the public jeepney route within the Clark Freeport.

MMDA ready to implement provincial bus ban on EDSA by Aug. 1

THE METROPOLITAN Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said the provincial bus ban along EDSA will push through following the memorandum issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), which will take effect on Aug. 1. Under the memo, provincial buses going to Metro Manila will have to end at the designated terminals in Valenzuela City, Parañaque City, and Sta. Rosa, Laguna. “We will still push through with the plan… (When the LTFRB memo comes out) we will request the LGUs (local government units) na may terminal sa (with terminals along) EDSA, we’ll write them a letter to cancel all the business permits,” said MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo S. Garcia Jr. in a chance interview with reporters on Thursday. The ban will only cover EDSA-based terminals that have been shut down by LGUs. About 1,480 provincial buses coming from the north with terminals along EDSA will have to end their trips at the Valenzuela terminal. From the south, about 380 buses with terminals in Cubao, Quezon City will be redirected to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange while 890 buses with terminals in Pasay City will be moved to the Sta. Rosa Interim Terminal in Laguna. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Duque says reconsideration of Dengvaxia vaccination program not on the table

AMID THE declaration of a nationwide dengue alert, Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said the Department of Health (DoH) is not considering just yet a possible revival of the controversial Dengvaxia vaccination program.

“We need to study the recommendation… because there is no specific test that would exactly prove that a person has been infected by dengue,” he said during a visit to Iloilo City Thursday.

He emphasized that risks should be balanced with many other factors, noting that those who can benefit from the Dengvaxia vaccine are only those with prior exposure to the dengue virus.

Mr. Duque explained that the available dengue test “cross-reacts” with other viruses like Chikungunya and Zika virus.

“Remember the test cross reacts with other viruses, so it could be Chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, it could be Zika virus, and I heard it cross reacts with measles virus. So having said that, if it is positive, you are not sure if it’s positive of dengue virus,” he said.

The DoH’s Dengvaxia vaccination program has been cancelled and the vaccine banned in the Philippine market since last year following allegations of related deaths among children who received the vaccine.

Several cases have been filed in court against past and present DoH officials, including Mr. Duque, as well as officials of manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur Inc. and distributor Zuellig Pharma Corporation.

IMMUNIZATION
Mr. Duque, nonetheless, underscored that immunization for other diseases is still important, particularly as part of the government’s Universal Health Care program. He added that he is hopeful that one day, there is going to be a fully-proven effective anti-dengue vaccine. “UHC is still nothing without an effective immunization program… Hopefully, dengue vaccine — that Takeda is proven effective but they are not yet done with their clinical studies so we are awaiting that — one day, there is going to be a vaccine that is going to be effective for all the four strains of dengue,” he said.

Mr. Duque held a dialogue with local officials in Iloilo and inspected hospitals and other facilities amid the dengue outbreak. He also directed the utilization of the 2019 Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) funds worth P198.34-million of the regional health office to assist dengue patients.

The Western Visayas Region has the highest number of dengue cases. It’s five provinces — Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo — and the highly urbanized Iloilo City have all declared dengue outbreaks. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

DAP to assist in setting up BARMM offices

THE DEVELOPMENT Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) on Thursday signed a memorandum of agreement with the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) to assist in the establishment of offices in the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The Ad Hoc Committee on Creation of Offices in the Bangsamoro government was created by parliament along with other ‘priority’ committees.

In a previous interview with BusinessWorld, committee chair Baintan A. Ampatuan said, “Based from our plenary discussion, the priority is the six offices mentioned in the Article XVI [of the RA 11054] such as the offices for youth, women, settler communities, DRRM, planning and development, and attorney general.”

She said the committee will also prioritize the creation of two ministries without a counterpart office from the now defunct ARMM: Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, and Ministry of Public Order and Safety.

Meanwhile, OPAPP Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. noted that DAP has previously worked with the ARMM government, and the partnership was instrumental in improving the region’s economy as well as in gaining more seals of good local governance.

“This means that DAP and the Bangsamoro has created a good partnership,” Mr. Galvez said.

DAP President and Chief Executive Officer Engelbert Caronan, Jr., for his part, said, “We are not the one who will make the proposal, we will only facilitate the process. It is your intentions, it is your aspirations that has to appear, that has to be seen in the work that we are going to be facilitating.” — Tajallih S. Basman

Abu Sayyaf bomber arrested in Zamboanga Sibugay

A KNOWN bomber of the Abu Sayyaf, identified as Isnaji Hasim, was arrested by joint military and police forces on July 24 in Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay. The Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) reported that the suspect operated under the group’s Basilan-based leader Furuji Indama, who is a close associate of Hashim Saripa, one of the perpetrators of the Lamitan bombing on July 31, 2018. The blast killed 10 and wounded nine others. Hasim was also reportedly involved in the Zamboanga City bus terminal bombing on January 23, 2015 that killed two and wounded 52 civilians. Brig. Gen. Bagnus P. Gaerlan, Jr., commander of the 102nd Brigade, said a civilian tipped off authorities on Hasim’s location. “Our appreciation goes to the concerned civilian who gave the information to the troops that led to the arrest of Hasim,” Mr. Gaerlan said in a statement released by WestMinCom. “This is an evidence that even the locals denounce the presence of terrorists in their communities. 102nd Infantry Brigade will continue to hunt down the remaining insurgents who are planning to conduct atrocities in the area,” he added. Troops recovered from Hasim a rifle, grenade, improvised explosive device, blasting caps and other bomb paraphernalia.

Nation at a Glance — (07/26/19)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

ation at a Glance — (07/26/19)

Texters and Kings begin best-of-five semifinals

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

ACTION in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup progresses to a higher level with the start of the semifinals, beginning with the best-of-five pairing of top seeds TNT KaTropa and defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings today at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The set-to was forged after the Texters and Kings emerged victorious over their respective foes in the quarterfinals, with TNT overcoming a gallant stand by the eighth-seeded Alaska Aces in which it had a twice-to-beat advantage but was forced to a decider while the Kings swept the Magnolia Hotshots Ang Pambansang Manok in their best-of-three quarters.

TNT booked their place in the semifinals on Wednesday, coming from behind to beat the Aces, 104-93.

Import Terrence Jones bounced back in a very big way after a so-so performance in the first game, finishing with a near triple-double of 37 points, 22 rebounds and nine assists.

Forward Troy Rosario added 20 points and seven boards while Jayson Castro had 17 markers and seven dimes.

Don Trollano (14) and Roger Pogoy (12) were the two other Texters in double digits in their team’s win.

“We have to prepare now for the next one, semifinals, against Ginebra. It is not an easy opponent. The crowd will be on their side and we have to work harder,” said TNT coach Bong Ravena following their victory over Alaska.

“It’s already the semis and nothing will come easy from here on. Good thing it’s a series. We have to do a good job of controlling the series early on, preferably win the first game to get the momentum already. We have to have our focus and play our best,” he added.

Barangay Ginebra, meanwhile, barged into the Final Four by blowing past Magnolia, 106-80, in Game Two of their quarterfinal series on Tuesday.

The Kings used a fiery third quarter to leave the Hotshots in the dust from which the latter could not recover from.

Import Justin Brownlee led a balanced Barangay Ginebra attack with 30 points while also pulling down nine rebounds and dishing out six assists.

Japeth Aguilar had 18 points with LA Tenorio, Mark Caguioa and Stanley Pringle adding 13, 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Like TNT’s Ravena, Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone is expecting a tough grind against the Texters in the semifinals.

“They have been the number one seed all the way through. Alaska was the first team to expose their weakness but up to that point, they’ve been pretty much unbeatable,” said the Kings coach as they look forward to playing with the Texters.

TNT defeated Barangay Ginebra, 104-96, in their lone game in the elimination round of the Commissioner Cup on June 12.

In said game, Mr. Pogoy exploded for 38 points, going 10-of-18 from beyond the arc.

Mr. Jones, for his part, had a triple-double of 17 points, 16 assists and 14 rebounds.

For Barangay Ginebra it was Mr. Brownlee who led with 29 points and 17 rebounds and Mr. Tenorio finishing with 18 points and seven assists.

Meanwhile, playing in the other semifinal pairing are the San Miguel Beermen, who are still awaiting the victor of the rubber match between the Blackwater Elite and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters later yesterday (July 25).

The Beermen book a spot in the semifinals after bucking a twice-to-win disadvantage in the quarterfinals against number two team Northport Batang Pier.

San Miguel’s semifinal series begins on Saturday, July 27.

NCAA 95 : Defending champion San Beda out to keep slate clean

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE DEFENDING champions San Beda Red Lions are out to keep their slate clean in Season 95 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association when they battle rivals San Sebastian Stags in league action today at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

Currently on top of the standings with an unblemished 3-0 record, the Lions try to maintain their top form in their 12 noon collision with the Stags (2-1).

Completing the scheduled seniors’ play triple-header today are the Lyceum Pirates (3-1) against the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers (2-3) at 2 p.m. and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (1-3) versus the Arellano Chiefs (0-3) at 4 p.m.

San Beda is coming off an 89-72 victory over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals in an NCAA on Tour offering on July 18 at the EAC Sports and Cultural Center in Manila.

The Lions had control of the match throughout to book their third straight win and maintain their position on top of the heap in the standings in the ongoing season of the country’s oldest collegiate league.

In three games to date, leading the charge for four peat-seeking San Beda is guard James Kwekuteye who is averaging 16 points and 6.7 rebounds.

Forward Calvin Oftana has been good for 12.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and two blocks a game with foreign player Donald Tankoua averaging a double-double of 10.7 points and 10.3 rebounds.

Floor general Evan Nelle has been steady at the point guard position for the Mendiola-based Lions with numbers of 9.7 points and 8.7 assists.

Looking to put a halt to the unbeaten streak of the Lions are the Stags, who absorbed their first defeat of the season in their last game.

San Sebastian was ahead of Lyceum for much of the time in their game on Tuesday but faltered in the end to have the rug pulled from under it.

Allyn Bulanadi led the Stags with 13 markers with Ramil Tero adding 12 and Itchie Altamirano 10 points.

Unfortunately for San Sebastian, veteran key cog RK Ilagan, its leading scorer, failed to score a point, which greatly affected their push especially down the stretch.

The Stags’ defeat left San Beda and the idle College of Saint Benilde Blazers (2-0) as the only unbeaten teams left in NCAA Season 95.

Cycling ambassadors set to take the Prudential RideLondon challenge

CYCLING enthusiasts and Pru Life UK ambassadors Kim Atienza, Gretchen Ho and Zoren Legaspi are off to take on a new challenge as they participate in the 2019 edition of Prudential RideLondon next week.

Kicking off on the weekend of Aug. 3 to 4, the event gathers the world’s premier elite and recreational cyclists to encourage people to cycle more safely and more often.

Initially conceptualized as an offshoot and legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games, the Prudential ride has evolved since, growing every year.

This year the cycling event is expected to see over 100,000 participants ride collectively more than three million miles in different events for all ages and abilities.

Given the chance to further test their cycling skills, Mr. Atienza said he is looking forward to the London ride.

“The Prudential RideLondon is one of the iconic rides in the world. I am very excited to participate in it and looking forward to it. It is a privilege to represent the Philippines there,” said Mr. Atienza at their send-off hosted by Pru Life UK on Thursday.

“I have been biking a lot as part of my preparation. It will be an enriching experience for us,” he added.

While out to have fun at the ride, Mr. Legaspi said they are going to compete as well.

“We are out to enjoy the race. But as a competitor, when you are in the moment am sure I’m going to compete and race with the rest of the pack,” said Mr. Legaspi, who shared he has been riding the bicycle for four years now.

Part of Pru Life UK’s program of promoting cycling in the country as a sustainable form of alternative transportation and platform for healthy living for three years now, Ms. Ho said she is proud and excited for how the push has progressed.

“I’ve been part of the program for three years. I’m proud of how it has progressed. More cyclists of different levels are taking part in the local races. They run it professionally and bring cycling to more people,” said Ms. Ho of the local PRURide PH races which the insurance group is organizing yearly.

“We are proud to have PRURide ambassador Kuya Kim, Zoren and Gretchen among our representatives to the world’s greatest festival of cycling… They bring with them our advocacy of promoting health and fitness among Filipinos to this event,” said Allan Tumbaga, SVP and chief customer marketing officer.

Messrs. Atienza and Legaspi and Ms. Ho will be joined by Pru Life UK employees Ryan Benguelo and Nelsi Rabe in participating in the Prudential RideLondon 2019. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

LA Clippers roll out duo of Leonard, George

LOS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were rolled out as members of the Los Angeles Clippers at an introductory press conference on Wednesday, with both players beaming that they finally will be wearing the same uniform.

Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, recruited the six-time All-Star George to join him in Los Angeles — George is from Palmdale, Calif., to the north, Leonard from Riverside, Calif., to the east — and sees George’s two-way game as a good complement to his.

“Now we’re on the Clippers and it’s just, I think we got something special and we can make history here.” Leonard said at the press conference. “We got the right team to do it … I’m ready to go.”

“I remember when I was at Indy and we drafted Kawhi,” George said. “We could have done some special things at Indiana, but it’s great to fast forward where we are now. We’re both here in L.A., and it just seems like this was destined. We were supposed to play together.”

PAU GASOL
The Portland Trail Blazers will sign six-time All-Star free agent Pau Gasol, the Spanish big man announced on Twitter.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Gasol’s deal will be for one year and $2.6 million, as he joins a Blazers team coming off a run to the Western Conference Finals. “Ready and happy to join one of the best teams in the league!” Gasol tweeted.

Gasol, who turned 39 earlier this month, is coming off the worst season of his 18-year NBA career. In failing to average double digits in scoring for the first time of his career, he recorded just 3.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in 30 contests (six starts) with San Antonio and Milwaukee.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson’s shoe deal with Jordan Brand is the largest ever for an NBA rookie in terms of annual pay, ESPN reported.

Per ESPN, the contract is for five years. The report added that several competitors made offers with total values “well into the nine-figure range,” and other offers exceeding $10 million annually. The deal surpassed LeBron James’ as the most lucrative landed by a rookie.

The No. 1 pick in June’s draft, Williamson is widely regarded as the most coveted endorser to enter the NBA in years, arguably since James in 2003.

More than three weeks after the Denver Nuggets reportedly agreed to a lucrative contract extension with star combo guard Jamal Murray, the team officially announced the signed five-year deal.

The Nuggets did not reveal further specifics regarding the contract. The Athletic reported on July 1 that the sides agreed to terms on an extension worth $170 million.

Murray, 22, had one season remaining on his original rookie contract and would have been a restricted free agent next summer. Instead, the extension, which will kick in after the 2019-20 season, will run through the 2024-25 season.

Speaking on “The Warrior Podcast,” three-time NBA champion head coach Steve Kerr called out transactions sparked by star players as “bad for the league” and “a real problem.”

“I’m talking more about the Anthony Davis situation,” Kerr said of the big man maneuvering his way from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Los Angeles Lakers. “Where a guy is perfectly healthy and has a couple years left on his deal and says, ‘I want to leave.’ That’s a real problem that the league has to address and that the players have to be careful with.”

Kerr has an issue with Davis’ approach, while still under contract, as opposed to stars who have played out their contracts first before switching teams. — Reuters

UFC 240: Meet the four featherweight fighters at Holloway vs Edgar and Cyborg vs Spencer

ON JULY 28, two awaited featherweight match-ups will take place at UFC 240 — Max Holloway vs. Frankie Edgar for the men’s division and Cris Cyborg vs. Felicia Spencer for the women’s division. Get to know these four featherweights more.

Two matches, four featherweight fighters — In the end, only two can leave the Rogers Place stadium with the featherweight championship. It will be one man between Max Holloway and Frankie Edgar and one woman between Cris Cyborg and Felicia Spencer.

MEN’S FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: HOLLOWAY VS EDGAR
For Holloway and Edgar, this match has been long overdue. The pair has been scheduled to go up against each other in the octagon twice prior, first during UFC 218 and then at UFC 222. However, due to the fighters recovering from their respective injuries, the matches were rescheduled. This time, UFC 240 will definitely see reigning champion Holloway defend his title against former lightweight titleholder, Edgar.

MAX HOLLOWAY
Currently sixth in the official UFC pound-for-pound rankings, Hawaiian born Holloway is the reigning featherweight champion.

Active since 2012, Holloway has amassed a following — aptly called the “Cult of Max” — due to his bold, enigmatic, and lethal approach both inside and outside the octagon.

Perhaps what drew the crowd’s attention to Holloway was when he was called on to replace an injured Tony Ferguson to fight for the UFC lightweight championship in April 2018. Despite not being in training at the time and having only having six days to prepare, Holloway took on the challenge. The match unfortunately did not push through.

This fearless and unflinching quality takes Holloway to a different level inside the ring. In UFC 231, he defended his featherweight title against Brian Ortega in Toronto, Canada where his well-paced aggression helped him break three records. First, for the most significant strikes in one fight at 290, the most landed significant strikes in a round at 134, and lastly, the record for the most victories in the UFC featherweight division at 15 wins.

FRANKIE EDGAR
Born and raised in New Jersey, Frankie “The Answer” Edgar is currently #4 in the official UFC featherweight rankings. The former wrestler is known to have remarkable victories over legendary ex-world champions such as Hermes França, Sean Sherk, Urijah Faber, and thrice against B.J Penn.

One of the most memorable of his fights was the one against B.J Penn at UFC 112, where he defeated Penn to gain the lightweight title — despite being as massive underdog during that time.

Since then, his resume has been peppered with high profile wins and incredible matches. Fans attribute this to Edgar’s ability to stay intelligently technical no matter how fast the pace of the match is going.

On top of that, his ability to take a beating and not get knocked down gives him an edge. Edgar is the only fighter thus far to have been knocked down three times in a single round and still not lose.

This technicality and resilience coupled with his sharp jabs and high striking accuracy makes Edgar quite an obstacle to face in the octagon.

WOMEN’S FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: CYBORG VS SPENCER
If the men’s match was long overdue, the women’s featherweight battle was a quick development in minds of some UFC fans. Feared veteran fighter Cris Cyborg, who recently just lost her 21-win streak, is facing newcomer Felicia Spencer. Spencer just debuted at the UFC in May but is already considered one of the fastest rising prospects of the women’s division. As Spencer earns more experience under her belt, the lack of featherweights in the women’s division meant that a showdown between the UFC novice and Cyborg was bound to happen.

CRIS CYBORG
Arguably one of the most feared names in Mixed Martial Arts, Cris Cyborg was formerly in Strikeforce and Invicta FC before finally signing on to Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2015.

Her debut came long overdue, and only happened after the UFC created an entire weight division — women’s featherweight — just for Cyborg. That only goes to show how big of a draw she was for MMA fans.

Cyborg enters this match with 20 victories out of her past 21 fights. However, a dark spot does stain Cyborg’s history. In 2012, she tested positive for steroids, which caused her to forfeit a match win, and a year-long license suspension.

Recent years have been considerably better for Cyborg. Considered a knockout artist, she has stood out amongst the female UFC fighters who prefer grappling. Her recorded victories include notable wins over Holly Holm, Yana Kunitskaya, and Tonya Evinger. However, in December of 2018 Cyborg’s streak was broken by Amanda “The Lioness” Nunes which cost Cyborg the UFC women’s featherweight.

FELICIA SPENCER
A Canadian mixed martial artist, Spencer is the current Invicta FC featherweight champion.

After a winning streak of 6-0 at Invicta FC, Spencer finally signed on to the UFC in March this year. In May of the same year, she fought her first UFC match versus Megan Anderson where she won by rear naked choke.

While relatively new to the UFC world, fans are keeping a close eye on Spencer as one of the strongest prospects in female MMA fighters. With a strong background in Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Kickboxing, she poses a serious threat in the division despite being a novice in the face of her more experienced opponent.

“This is kind of my moment to shock the world and shine,” Spencer said in an interview with MMA Junkie. “I and my team know something about me that the rest of the world doesn’t know yet, and I’m going to show the world on July 27.”

“Of course, ‘Cyborg’ is a legend in the sport,” Spencer adds. “But at the same time, she’s just a human being. She’s got the best nickname in the sport, but she’s not actually a ‘Cyborg.’ She’s just a human.”

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