Six years ago, Kimbert Alintozon was running from police in the mountains and coastal areas of Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental.
Not because he was involved in crime, but because he fought in underground street fights.
Now, the 27-year-old Filipino finds himself on the doorstep of receiving a UFC contract.
On Thursday, May 28, Alintozon will compete at Road to UFC Season 5 inside the Galaxy Arena in Macau, stepping in as a late replacement for injured Australian fighter Matty Iann in the bantamweight tournament.
For Alintozon (7-3), the call-up came much sooner than expected.
“Hindi nga ako part sa lineup na ‘to. Nangyari lang na may na-injure na Australian guy,” he told GMA News Online.
Originally, Alintozon planned to spend more time building his record in the local scene before making a push for Road to UFC.
Instead, he now finds himself with an opportunity to barge into the world’s largest MMA promotion.
“Bini-build ko ‘yung record ko para makapasok sa Road to UFC,” he said.
“Ito talaga ‘yung stepping stone ko papunta sa pangarap ko. Sobrang saya, grabe talaga ‘yung plan ni God. ‘Yung plano natin maliit, pero ‘yung plan ni God malaki.”
Alintozon’s penchant for fighting came from his unique origin story. Before he was scouted by his team at Alpha One, he first competed in boxing during his school days in Negros Occidental. But during the pandemic, he became involved in underground fights that were held in far-flung areas away from authorities.
“Nagsimula ako ng matuto ng MMA actually sa province namin. Sa school nag-compete ako ng boxing. Tapos ‘yung pandemic nga, doon nagsimula mayroong mga street fight doon. Nagsali ako sa mga street fight.”
According to Alintozon, these fights were informal backyard-style bouts with betting involved.
“Suntukan lang tapos may pustahan din. Parang underground siya.”
To avoid arrest, fighters would travel to isolated areas in the mountains or at the beach.
“Sa mga lugar, ang mahirap na puntahan ng mga pulis, sa bundok o dagat.”
Eventually, Alintozon realized he could turn his fighting ability into a legitimate profession.
“Iniisip ko na pwede ko palang gamitin ‘yung talent ko as a profession na hindi bawal. So doon nag-start.”
Now competing on one of the biggest platforms for Asian MMA prospects, Alintozon wants to show that Filipino fighters can put on entertaining fights.
“Very confident ako na mabigyan ko ng magandang show ang buong mundo na ipakita ‘yung galing ng Pinoy,” he said. “‘Yung fight ko talaga, makikita niyo naman na hindi boring kasi gusto ko nang ma-entertain ‘yung mga manonood.”
Alintozon faces tournament favorite Rabindra Dhant (9-1), the first-ever Matrix Fight Night bantamweight champion from Nepal. Despite Dhant’s credentials, Alintozon remains unfazed.
“Wala akong takot kasi confident naman ako sa skills na meron ako,” he said.
Dhant may have spent his camp preparing for an Australian wrestler, but he faces a ghost from the Philippine underground. Carrying the hope of turning an unlikely journey into a UFC contract, Alintozon warns the world is about to get a huge surprise.
“Magugulat na lang sila ipapakita ako sa laban namin sa May 28.” (GMA News)