IN the bruising world of combat sports, few figures hit as hard — or dream as big — as Ferdinand Abadilla Munsayac, a former US Navy man-turned-fight promoter and visionary founder of Juego Todo, the country’s first recognized Filipino hybrid martial arts league.
What began as a backyard brawl concept has now transformed into a global platform: a mix of discipline, heritage and grit that is uniquely Filipino.
Behind that success story is a man who has fought his own battles outside the cage against doubt, poverty and the disbelief of an entire industry.
Before he became “Coach Ferdie” or “Jefe,” Munsayac wore a different uniform.
For 20 years, he served in the US Navy, a journey that honed his toughness and discipline, qualities that would later define his career as a sports pioneer.
“When I started Underground Battle (UGB) MMA, people thought I was crazy,” Munsayac told The Manila Times.They said, “You’re giving away a house and lot? That must be made of cardboard.”
By December 2019, he proved them wrong, confirming that the keys, the dream and his commitment were all real, like a championship belt awarded in a combat sport.
Running both UGB and Juego Todo, however, was far from easy.
“My Navy pension was the main source of funding, and without it, I might have had to stop.”
“An ordinary man without that support would’ve just focused on putting food on the table.”
His Navy pension became the lifeline of his vision, sustaining his fighters, staff and events through financial droughts, and was supplemented by the support of friends who offered help, gear and encouragement along the way.
“They saw the consistency,” Munsayac said.
“I owe everything to the people around me, especially Pearl, my CEO and strongest supporter, and our hardworking team who never gave up, as they turned belief into reality.”
It took him 11 long years to see Juego Todo earn recognition.
“Having a dream requires more than just imagination, it demands action, so get up and work for it.”
At the heart of Munsayac’s mission lies a powerful advocacy: lifting people out of poverty through the discipline of martial arts.
“Most of our fighters are laborers, construction workers, or drivers.”
“They fight not just for belts; they fight for survival.”
Over the past decade, hundreds have trained under his banner.
Not all became champions, but many turned their skills into steady livelihoods, some now teach in gyms, others train clients in their homes.
That’s where the now-famous house and lot giveaway came from.
“I wanted to give our fighters something life-changing because many of them are struggling, not even having homes to call their own.”
Championship winners under UGB and Juego Todo receive not just medals, but life-changing prizes: a house and lot, a motorcycle, P50,000 worth of livelihood packages, P20,000 in cash and the championship belt.
“The motorcycle is more than just a prize, it’s a livelihood tool that can help our fighters deliver goods or support a small business when they’re not fighting.”
“From MMA to Filipino Martial Arts, his goal remained consistent: to help the poor through discipline and hard work.”
Munsayac’s “Beating Up Poverty” campaign embodies his mission, transforming street brawlers into disciplined athletes through his guidance.
“We teach them to fight with honor, focusing on self-mastery rather than destroying others.”
He’s a pioneer in the Filipino fight scene, a respected figure who proved local fighters can achieve global success.
Fight revolution
Juego Todo, meaning “all game” or “anything goes” in Spanish, has roots in Filipino history, originating from the country’s warrior culture where disputes were settled through combat.
“In the old days, if two men had a conflict, they fought to the death,” Munsayac explained.
“I wanted to bring that tradition back — but in a safe, regulated and modern way.”
When Maestro Rommel Villanueva invited him to promote Arnis, Munsayac saw an opportunity to push boundaries, thinking, “Why not make it evolve?”
The result was Juego Todo, a hybrid sport that blends Filipino martial arts (FMA) with mixed martial arts (MMA).
Fighters battle inside a cage using live sticks (yantok) instead of padded ones, creating a raw, explosive and authentic experience.
Each match unfolds in three unique rounds:
Round 1: Doble baston (two sticks).
Round 2: Solo baston (one stick plus punches, elbows and takedowns).
Round 3: Mano-a-mano (hand-to-hand combat using panuntukan (Filipino boxing), sikaran (foot fighting), Yaw-Yan (Filipino kickboxing), dumog (grappling) and buno (wrestling).
“It’s 100 percent Filipino — cultural, traditional and historical.”
“This isn’t just fighting: it’s identity.”
To highlight its grassroots spirit, Munsayac coined the slogan: “From Barrio Brawls to World Championships.”
In August 2025, Munsayac’s decade-long effort paid off when the Games and Amusements Board officially recognized Juego Todo as the country’s first professional Filipino hybrid martial arts platform, a historic milestone for the Philippines.
Juego Todo made waves globally, with its USA chapter having kicked off in August and 28 countries having signed on to host their own tournaments.
“My dream is for Juego Todo to become the UFC of Filipino martial arts.”
“We want to discover the next Manny Pacquiao of FMA.”
Despite global attention, he stays humble, believing that “it’s easy to dream, but consistency and persistence, that’s what makes dreams real.”
When people doubt his vision, he grins and says, “Good, if people don’t laugh at your dream, it means your dream is too small.”
For Ferdinand Munsayac, Juego Todo represents Filipino resilience, proving that with passion, discipline and determination, one person can build something extraordinary from scratch.
He sums up his philosophy in three simple words — words that now echo across every cage he built: “#GawaHindiNgawa.”
QUICK QUESTIONS
What is your biggest fear?
Snakes
What really makes you angry?
Stupidity
What motivates you to work hard?
A vision to accomplish the impossible.
What makes you laugh the most?
The stupidity of others.
What would you do if you won the lotto?
Create bigger charitable fight events for the combat sports industry.
If you could share a meal with any individual, living or dead, who would they be?
Jose Rizal.
What was the last book you read?
None. I don’t read books.
Which celebrity would you like to meet for a cup of coffee?
Dana White.
What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
Start a fight promotion with no following and full of detractors, and turn it into the first-ever professional Filipino martial arts hybrid sport after 127 years of the Philippine Republic.
What is the one thing you will never do again?
Get married.