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Monday, December 15, 2008

Congratulations to Efrain Escudero



Congratulations to Efrain Escudero on becoming the TUF 8 lightweight champion. I never thought I would be saying that but what is done is done. It was an honor to fight and lose a great warrior. I am truly happy for him and he deserves the victory. He strategical won the fight with the use of timing my attacks and going in for the take down. I do feel heart broken from the lose but I am not disappointed in myself. I truly tried my best to defeat him. I left everything in the cage that night. I'm proud to have fought live on spike tv in the UFC and even further to have been the main event. I have so much growing to do in this sport and I am going to continue to get better. I will work on my wrestling like no other. Thank you all for your support. I guarantee I will not let you guys down on my next bout.

The greatest lessons are learned at the lowest points. In this case I learned so much about myself, my team, my family, and my friends. Win or lose I know who are people supporting me. Thank you all especially to those who came to see me
live in Las Vegas!

30 comments:

Unknown said...

great show of sportsman ship bro! you made all the pinoys and the non-pinoys proud. keep your head up homie!

Unknown said...

Great response Phillipe. You've made me an even bigger fan of you. All of the great MMA fighters (except probably Fedor) have lost at some time in their careers. Better to lose early and use it as a building block to perfect your craft for a very promising future career.

All the best and congratulations!

Professor Cee said...

Let me start off by saying that the fight itself was an emotional roller coaster, and that the scenes that were not captured by the camera were the most moving and emotional of the night. The support of family and friends in the post-fight conference was truly an amazing moment that I'll never forget.

Gar said...

You put up a great fight. I think you were able to adjust towards the end of the fight. Had it been 5 rounds, I'm sure you would've had it. I agree, put wrestling in your game. You'll be totally unstoppable! Can't wait for your next fights! Never ever lose the hunger and the killer instinct, and never doubt yourself. Keep your head up! You'll kick his ass in the rematch. Good show of sportsmanship.

By the way, I have to say that Junie improved. His stand up was way better in the finale.

Argie said...

Good choice of words--strategic fight indeed. You made us (your fan-base proud).

Although I do think it should have been stood up a few more times, you have it right that Efrain just had your timing down that night.

Congratulations on a good fight, and a good showing of class and sportsmanship.

As much as I loathe Junie's promotion onto the main card, and the hype he has been getting, I can't help but notice the improvement he has both striking, and on the ground--it seems the move from the more familiar confines of his old team, to working with a more established team has helped his fight game improve.

It would be interesting to see Efrain vs Junie 2--the outcome would seem completely different.

I hope you continue to follow your dream, and improve in leaps and bounds as an MMA fighter for the people.

Ingat lagi!

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Sup phillipe, first of all Me (andre) and Mafe are very proud of you and it was a good fight. i agree, put wrestling and also maybe boxing on your training. we wish you best of luck and cant wait for you next fight...One more thing you made me more bigger fun of you.

Sean said...

Congratulations on making it as far as you did man. I remember watching you put on an exhibition at a talent show so many years ago at OLM just to see you make it as far as you did. I do have to agree with the other comments that once you get more of a wrestling base, no one will be able to stop you. My mom and sisters were watching it also although it was their first experience with MMA and wish you the best of luck also.

Starsmore said...

Win or lose, you still made us proud to be Filipinos! We have a lot of faith in your game Phillipe! We know that this loss will only make you a better fighter. Keep training and maybe try Nog's camp or any other "big" gym so you can train with other UFC Fighters. I'm sure that will help you further develop your potentials.

Sipag at Tiyaga! :)

Stanley said...

Personally I thought it was a draw. Efrain won by points but if you were given just 2 more rounds. Who knows? You might have won. Anything can happen in another 2 rounds. Looking forward to your comeback and future rise to the top! Best of luck to you.

jomajesty said...

Phillipe...you still represented man...things happend for a reason and i believe you lost to keep you even hungrier...you know what to work on now...im pretty sure you will make the improvements...i agree that if it were 5 rounds, you would have caught him eventually...there's no way he could've finish you...I just wanna say one thing though...i think if you would've thrown a couple of uppercuts, or fake the right and throw a left uppercut...you would've caught him...

Chi Rivera said...

great sportsmanship! it would be a honor for me to fight you if ever I am a MMA fighter! Good luck on your MMA career! the real challenge for you had just begun! good luck once again kababayan

VonDeeZy said...

Great Job Phillipe, I already left you a comment on myspace so I don't have much to say. You're a great sport and wish you luck on your future endeavors. This was a great read btw.

~Von

Anonymous said...

Phil,
From what I see and hear, everyone is still 100 % behind you. There's nothing negative to say. You're a good man inside and outside the cage/ring. Get some rest and get back to what you were born to do.

John Q

Style said...

"The greatest lessons are learned at the lowest points."

Phillipe, damn you are one hell of an impressive fighter.As a pinoy myself, I am proud of what you have accomplished. Always be thankful, and be thankful for this loss and for the lesson you can learn. There is a reason for this and hopefully you can find it and become an incredible warrior. You are a role model, an inspiration like Manny. Represent our country, you make us proud. Best Wishes.

Unknown said...

Well done throughout the season! I know you will be back even stronger and I can't wait to see it. Good luck and keep up the hard work, it will be worth it!!

Unknown said...

A better wrestling base would be great for you, but a better camp can do wonders. I'm not saying to turn your back on the talented people that have molded you to get this far, but it never hurts to learn from other seasoned camps and trainers to see where your own weakness lies and how best to get past them. You've shown your heart, kindness, and fighting spirit in the show.. but on the finale, it was a treat to see how well your chin handled those bombs that were thrown at you!

Good job reppin mga Pinoys and NYC in general! LOL I was a fan as soon as I saw you shed your Faintin Phillipe moniker. The "mahal kita lola" hat was the hilarious, and the baluts were the icing on the cake!

Angelo said...

It was a great fight man. I know you will come back stronger. Gizmo said to work on your boxing too. I agree with him. With your punching power, you will be really scary if you hone your skills in boxing even more. Combine it with solid wrestling, shit BJ Penn better watch out.
You really have the ability to be the best man and keep believing that.

I saw this kid fight a long time ago and I knew he was special and I was telling everybody that he will be a world champ someday. Well that kid is Manny Pacquiao.
I see the same in you man.

joelquinto said...

Congrats on getting to the big stage. I'm certain you're only going to get more beast from this loss. I liked how you started to jab in the 3rd round. Reminded me of a tactical BJ Penn when he fought Sherk at Ill Will. I do think its great you're going to get into wrestling. I think it'd be dope if you contacted fellow pinoy, Mark Munoz. With him and Faber training you, damn, I could only imagine what kind of a mma monster you'd become...

Once again congrats!

-from one Filipino Murse to another

"EAT BALUT!!!"

Richard @ Red Sky Photography said...

Damn Phillipe I love you as a fighter and a person you are a great ambassador to the sport of mixed martial arts. I only wish you had won because you truly deserved it. I hope to watch you hold the belt someday as I too was heart broken watching the fight. I believe you have the raw talent to be a hall of famer. Love from Ireland, Belfast.

Rick.

JD said...

That was a great fight.

At least you didn't get knocked out or submitted coz that would really hurt.

We would be watching your fights on the UFC in the future... just don't fall out short like the others.

Good luck and God bless you..

Merry Christmas!!!

NMRN said...

Phillipe Nover, you represent what a true martial artist must be. You have shown great sportsmanship in the TUF finals. You will continually inspire young people to do their best in their endeavor. I see you as a role model to my two young sons (aged 1 and 3)in the world of MMA. We look forward to your next fight. God bless you and your family.

Unknown said...

It was a great fight. You should be proud to have made it to the finals. Even more respect to you for fighting under all that pressure. Not many people could have went out there and given it their all like that. Look forward to seeing an even more dynamic Phillipe next time. You made bklyn proud.

Unknown said...
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Andrew Chung said...

Time is on your side Phillipe. I think you can look at GSP as a yard stick as to what you'll be like with great wrestling too.

Chin up mate. I looking forward to seeing you in the octagon again soon.

Unknown said...

When I saw u eat bulut, I knew u were the real deal lol!

I thought you did great considering all the pressure put on you by being compared to silva, gsp...etc...


You carried yourself with great class and professionalism during your time on tuf.

The filipino community is very proud of u!

OAstra said...

Great attitude and work ethic throughout. You're absolutely right; This experience gives you invaluable insights that will make you an even better fighter -- perhaps more so than if you had won. Keep doing what you love. Keep learning. Your family, friends, and true fans will always have your back.

southplains tornado said...

Taas-noo! We still believe. Dana White had said it and he mean it. Keep on improving, kapatid. Good luck!

Unknown said...

i just wanted to let you know that joe and i are proud of you bro. you fought hard in that cage and i have no doubt that if it went 2 more rounds you would've got it.

i know that loss was tough but knowing you, you'll bounce back up for the next one. joe and i will def be there

dj tito said...

great fight no matter what happened. some lose, some will win, you are a winner. i told a mutual friend of ours (fred v.) if it is not a loss by submission or k.o., decision or points is no big deal. i'm proud to be pinoy.