Baron, Kiko now friends

(UPDATED) After a highly publicized feud, ex-matinee idol Baron Geisler and indie actor Kiko Matos squared off in the steel cage on Saturday, with the fight ending in a unanimous draw.

The exhibition match at URCC Fight Night packed the Valkyrie Club in Bonifacio Global City, drawing even casual fans who were curious how the fight would turn out.

It wasn’t really as brutal as everyone expected, but the two inflicted some damage against each other in the two-round fight.

As promised, the two settled their differences and hugged in the middle of the cage. The fight stemmed from a bar brawl.

“Wala na kong galit kay Baron. ‘Yung mga asaran namin, asaran lang ‘yun… Wala nang dapat pag-awayan, OK na po ako kay Baron Geisler,” said Matos after the fight.

“Hindi ko naman habol ang manalo, ayaw ko lang matalo. OK lang ang draw.”

The first round saw Matos successfully mounting Geisler and grinding out a ground-and-pound. But the brother of former Olympian Donald Geisler was able to weather the punches.

It was Geisler’s turn to pin Matos to the cage after the indie actor showed signs of exhaustion in the second round.

Neither of them, however, was able to land decisive blows, prompting officials to go to the scorecards.

“Nung una eh what I did is to survive the round,” said Geisler referring to the beatdown he had in the first round. “I respect Matos. I think masyado lang akong naging kampante.”

“But my team is proud of me because I only trained for five days.”

Geisler added that Matos did his homework as the latter appeared superior on the ground. The former PBB Housemate said he only trained ground fighting for one day.

Geisler said if given the chance to fight again, he would train for months.

“I just took the challenge. I don’t pick fights and I never back down. I still feel I’m the winner here. We’re both are, but I feel nachallenge ko ang sarili ko,” he said. “Magiging humble na ko lag labas ko.”

Geisler also said he was sincere about making peace with Matos.

“Wala na, wala nang pride. Tanggal na ‘yung yabang. I believe we both respect each other as actors and human beings,” he said. “Congratulations, Kiko.”

Matos saiod he believed Geisler.

“’Yung niyakap ko siya sa ring, sa ‘kin po totoo po yon,” he added. “Totoo rin ‘yung kayap ni Baron.”

“Ang sabi ko mahal ko siya, wala nang bigwasan.”

When asked about the infamous “pee spraying” during the weigh in, Matos made a clarification.

He said it wasn’t pee he sprayed at Geisler.

“Beer ‘yun.”

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