Junior flyweight world titleholder Milan "El Metodico" Melindo will make his first defense when he faces former strawweight titlist Hekkie "Hexecutioner" Budler in the main event of Pinoy Pride 42.
Melindo and Budler square off Sept. 16 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, Philippines/
On May 21 in Tokyo, Melindo (36-2, 13 KOs) scored a stunning first-round knockout of Akira Yaegashi to win a 108-pound world title in Melindo's third shot at a world title.
Now Melindo, 29, is returning home to defend the belt against Budler (31-2, 10 KOs) of South Africa, the 29-year-old who is moving up one weight class for opportunity.
Budler won a vacant strawweight world title in 2014 and made four successful defenses before losing a close decision -- 115-113 on all three scorecards -- and the title to Byron Rojas in a big upset in March 2016.
Budler then moved up to junior flyweight and won two fights in a row before getting the offer to face Melindo.
Watch the Pinoy Pride 42 live telecast on Sunday, September 17th, 3:00 PM on ABS-CBN channel 2 and 8:00 PM on S+A channel 23!
