Mariano Jones identifies as bisexual and is one of the first LGBTQ advocates to emerge in Asian MMA. He is also undefeated after scoring the second win of his pro career at URCC 84 on Tuesday.
Jones faced Arvin Chan at a nightclub in Manila. He needed less than a minute to take the Filipino down in the opening round of their welterweight contest. The Filipino was on his back with the Costa Rican in half guard.
Jones started to fire off elbows and punches but Chan sprang back to his feet and they clinched against the cage. The fighters separated and the Filipino started to land some punches but soon found himself defending another takedown attempt.
Hard punches
They separated again and Chan fired off hard punches. It was clear that the Filipino had the edge in the striking exchanges but Jones wasted no time in taking him down again and firing off more elbows and punches from half guard.
The crowd was firmly behind the Filipino but he finished the round on his back. Chan landed a left hand at the start of the second but Jones responded by taking him down yet again.
Chan turtled up in order to try and explode out but found himself trapped against the cage. He got to his feet but was instantly taken down by Jones who looked in complete control.
The Costa Rican sank in a kimura and the tap came immediately. The finish was at the 3:45 mark and sees Jones improve his record to 2-0 while Chan drops to 8-10.
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Transsexual friend
Jones made headlines in the buildup to this fight when he declared himself bisexual and, in slightly more blunt terms, told media that,
I f**k hot trans. So what?
Afterwards he dedicated the win to the LGBTQ community and ‘anyone who dares to be different’. His opponent retired immediately after the fight, Chan hanging up his gloves after a decade fighting for the URCC.
By contrast Jones is just getting started and his style could cause problems for opponents in a country that is not renowned for producing wrestlers. Afterwards the Costa Rican posted photos of him partying in a group that appeared to include transsexuals.
