By Jay Leon Guerrero
MANILA – With two days leading up to weigh-ins for UFC Manila, both Jon “The Heat” Delos Reyes and Jon “Supersaiyan” Tuck put in work with their teammates and coaches late Wednesday night at the UFC workout rooms at Solaire Hotel and Casino in Manila, Philippines.
Tuck worked on some combinations with striking coach and cornerman Vince Salvador, Delos Reyes’ striking coach Sonny Chargualaf arrived earlier in the evening and worked on some boxing drills as well.
Both fighters were stoked to be on the same card and used the opportunity to workout together. “It’s definitely good that Tuck is fighting on the same card as JDR, they are good friends and they train together,” said Salvador.
Tuck is going into his sixth UFC fight and Delos Reyes is entering his third bout, but both fought at separate events individually. With both on the same card and the fight being close to the Guam, the training partners gathered several local training teammates to help with last minute tune ups and moral support.
Jon Tuck working the mitts with cornerman Vince Salvador. (photo by Jay Leon Guerrero)
According to Delos Reyes’ training partner and cornerman Lloyd Cubacub, having both Guam guys on the same card has many perks. “It’s been really good to have Jon (Tuck) here with us,” said Cubacub. Team Tuck and Team JDR have been together since their arrival on Tuesday; meeting with the press, training, and going through all the UFC logistics together.
“There will be about 500 people flying in from Guam to watch this fight and I just wanted to give a big ‘Thank You’ to everyone for their support. JDR has improved so much and we are going to see the best JDR on Saturday night,” said Cubacub. Jason Joson will also accompany Cubacub and Chargualaf as Delos Reyes’ cornermen on fight night.
Jason House, who now manages Delos Reyes, also manages over 20 UFC fighters including Tuck. He said that he is excited for the fight and he looks forward to watching JDR get his first UFC win. “JDR has surrounded himself with good coaches and had a great camp in Las Vegas and Guam. He has a lot of confidence and positivity right now,” said House.
“Every time anyone steps into the Octagon they learn from every experience and JDR has grown and is showing a lot of potential,” said House who also manages fighters Russell Doane and Luis Smolka.
Tuck’s New Cornerman
Salvador, who currently resides in San Diego but is originally from Guam, will corner Tuck alongside “Big” John Calvo. Salvador is one MMA’s best striking trainers in the world and has worked with Guam’s Joe Duarte, female superstar Cris Cyborg, and KJ Noons.
“Jon (Tuck) is in really good shape, he is going to push the pace right away; he is not going to hold anything back,” said Salvador.
Salvador said that Tuck and his opponent Tae Hyun Bang are a really good match up because both fighters have strong chins. “Both fighters have not been knocked out before but Tuck is better in every aspect; he’s better on the ground or standing,” said Salvador.
“The weight cut is not an issue, he is in good spirits. He is just going to go out there and fight like the good ole days”.
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