PINT-SIZED flyweight fighter Ale Cali has proven his boxing and striking prowess are more dangerous than the grappling expertise of returning veteran mixed martial artist Erwin Tagle.

Cali, a native of Davao City, delivered crisp punches to knockout Tagle in the third round and retain his flyweight title belt in the Pacific X-Treme Combat (PXC) Championship 34 on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Tagle, who obviously ran out of gas in the third round, tried his best to put the fight on the ground but couldn’t as Cali’s new wrestling and grappling skills had evaded the maneuver of the 34-year-old fighter.

“I hit his body most of the time and I saw his weaknesses,” said Cali in Filipino after the fight. “Tagle’s fighting skills were lessen after I hit him in the body. I’m so thankful to my wrestling coach also for teaching me effective grappling skills.”

Cali’s upper cut and right straight punches were too much for Tagle, who suffered a bloody mouth in third round. Referee John Mccarthy stopped the bout prior to the start of fourth round after seeing the damage done by Cali to Tagle.

“I’m hoping I can compete abroad that’s my dream. If given a chance by PXC that’s okay,” said Cali, who improved to five victories—mostly by knockouts—and a loss while Tagle suffered third defeat against two wins and a draw.

In the other co-main event, unbeaten Filipino-American Mark Striegl had the quickest victory of the night, forcing Harris Sarmiento to a shoulder lock submission in their 145-pound bout.

Striegl improved to 12-0, while Sarmiento dropped his win-loss card to 35-24.

Other winners of the night include homegrown Filipino fighters Eugene Toquero, who scored a stoppage win against Jerome Wanawan, and Isaiah Ordiz, who impressed in his decision victory over tough Fil-American fighter Tristan Arenal.

Dustin Kimura knocked out Guy Delameau with big uppercuts in the third round of their match and Michinori Tanaka submitted Russel Doane with a rear-naked choke in the other undercard fights.