Nissi Icasiano

Nissi Icasiano Sports Journalist | Boxing & MMA Analyst | Managing Editor at ESPN Philippines From 2020 to 2023, he served as Sports Editor at International Business Times.

Nissi Icasiano is a seasoned sportswriter and analyst based in the Philippines, with a professional career that began in 2013. Over the years, he has contributed to a diverse range of media outlets, including The Philippine Star, Rappler, ABS-CBN, Manila Standard, Sportskeeda, Philboxing.com, MSN.com, Tiebreaker Times, and The Phnom Penh Post. In 2017, he ventured into broadcast media as a combat

sports analyst, regularly appearing on television and radio programs for networks such as ABS-CBN, GMA, TV5, PTV4, Bilyonaryo News Channel, DZMM Radyo Patrol, and Radyo Pilipinas Sports, among others. In 2025, he joined Manila Standard as a sports columnist, where he continues to write about a wide array of topics in the world of combat sports. When he's not writing or providing expert commentary, he trains in boxing at Tiger City Boxing Gym.

26/08/2026

Can the Philippines finally end its Asian Games boxing gold drought since 2010? πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­πŸ₯Š

I broke down the Filipino boxers’ chances in my PTV Sports interview.

25/08/2026

Stephen Loman’s return against Lasha Abramishvili at BRAVE CF 108 on Sept. 5 was the focus of my honest take on PTV Sports, where I broke down the risks, the rewards, and what’s truly at stake for "The Sniper" in his comeback fight.

π—¦π—”π—‘π——π—œπ—šπ—’π—‘ π—•π—’π—’π—žπ—˜π—— 𝗙𝗒π—₯ π—”π—–π—§π—œπ—’π—‘Elorde Sandigon gets an opportunity to put his latest setback behind him when he steps back in...
24/08/2026

π—¦π—”π—‘π——π—œπ—šπ—’π—‘ π—•π—’π—’π—žπ—˜π—— 𝗙𝗒π—₯ π—”π—–π—§π—œπ—’π—‘

Elorde Sandigon gets an opportunity to put his latest setback behind him when he steps back inside the cage in India on August 29.

The Filipino flyweight is booked against local fighter Bishal Sahu at Warriors Dream Series 18, which takes place at the CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Centre in Navi Mumbai.

Sandigon enters the matchup after suffering a second-round stoppage against Flobater Fares under the UAE Warriors banner this past May.

The defeat halted his momentum, but the 6-2 fighter can quickly reset his campaign with a strong showing against Sahu.

On the other hand, the hometown representative owns an 8-4 record and has finished four of his eight victories, giving Sandigon another seasoned opponent as he looks to return to the win column.

The Navi Mumbai event will also feature two other Filipinos.

JR Alejandro will square off with Shoaib Khan in a flyweight bout. Kimbert Alintozon, meanwhile, will carry the country's biggest spotlight as he headlines the show against India's Jeko Laishram. The pair will also compete at flyweight.

07/08/2026

Manny Pacquiao congratulates Alex Eala after her historic 2026 Mubadala DC Open triumph, praising the Filipino tennis star for bringing honor and pride to the Philippines. πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­πŸŽΎ

𝗙π—₯π—˜π—¦π—› 𝗦𝗧𝗔π—₯𝗧Kimbert Alintozon came up short in his pursuit of a UFC contract, but the Filipino prospect refuses to let th...
04/08/2026

𝗙π—₯π—˜π—¦π—› 𝗦𝗧𝗔π—₯𝗧

Kimbert Alintozon came up short in his pursuit of a UFC contract, but the Filipino prospect refuses to let that setback define his promising journey.

Instead, the 27-year-old from Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental quickly shifts his focus to a fresh challenge as he returns to action on August 29.

Alintozon will headline Warriors Dream Series 18 at the CIDCO Exhibition & Convention Centre in Navi Mumbai, India, where he takes on hometown favorite Jeko Laishram in a three-round flyweight bout.

The matchup gives Alintozon a chance to turn the page after his Road To UFC Season 5 campaign ended this past May.

He moved up to bantamweight for the tournament and matched Nepal's Rabindra Dhant punch for punch before succumbing to a second-round submission defeat.

Now, "The Hunter" returns to familiar territory.

After a brief stay at 135 pounds, Alintozon drops back to flyweight, the division where he built his reputation.

At 125 pounds, he has collected six of his seven career victories, including three submissions and two knockouts, establishing himself as a dangerous finisher whenever he competes in his natural weight class.

His return, however, comes with a stern test.

Laishram owns a 4-1-1 professional record and will enjoy the backing of the home crowd in Navi Mumbai.

The Indian’s lone defeat came against Nazareth Lalthazuala, who has developed a reputation for defeating two Filipino mixed martial artists under the ONE Friday Fights banner.

Like Alintozon, Laishram enters the contest determined to bounce back, setting the stage for a main event between two fighters eager to regain their momentum.

π—˜π—Ÿπ—˜π—©π—”π—§π—˜π—— 𝗧𝗒 𝗖𝗒-π— π—”π—œπ—‘ π—˜π—©π—˜π—‘π—§Stephen Loman's return to BRAVE Combat Federation has become even more significant.His bantamwe...
03/08/2026

π—˜π—Ÿπ—˜π—©π—”π—§π—˜π—— 𝗧𝗒 𝗖𝗒-π— π—”π—œπ—‘ π—˜π—©π—˜π—‘π—§

Stephen Loman's return to BRAVE Combat Federation has become even more significant.

His bantamweight showdown against Georgian spitfire Lasha Abramishvili has been elevated to the co-main event of BRAVE CF 108, set for September 5 at P**a Arena in Croatia.

The matchup will serve as the final attraction before the middleweight main event between Croatia's Andi VrtačiΔ‡ and France's Sofiane Bouafia.

More importantly, it could determine the next challenger for the vacant BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Title following Borislav Nikolić's move to the UFC.

For Loman, it marks the latest chapter in a promising career that was put on hold.

The 31-year-old Ifugao native secured his release from ONE Championship in December 2025 after over two years of inactivity and later signed an exclusive multi-fight agreement to return to the organization where he built his legacy.

Loman last competed in September 2023 under the ONE banner, dropping a closely contested decision to John Lineker.

His first stint in BRAVE CF established him as one of the promotion's most accomplished athletes.

β€œThe Sniper” won all six of his bouts in the organization, captured the inaugural BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Championship by stopping Gurdarshan Mangat in 2017, and held the belt for a divisional record 1,179 days while defending it four times.

Standing opposite him is Abramishvili, who has quietly emerged as one of the division's top contenders.

The Georgian owns a 12-2-1 record and is 4-0 in BRAVE CF, including his most recent unanimous decision win over Brice Picaud this past June.

π——π—˜ π—©π—œπ—Ÿπ—Ÿπ—” 𝗦𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗦 𝗧𝗒 𝗒𝗛𝗨π—₯𝗔'𝗦 π—šπ—₯π—”π—£π—£π—Ÿπ—œπ—‘π—šJay De Villa endured a difficult introduction to the ONE Championship stage.The 30...
24/07/2026

π——π—˜ π—©π—œπ—Ÿπ—Ÿπ—” 𝗦𝗨𝗖𝗖𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗦 𝗧𝗒 𝗒𝗛𝗨π—₯𝗔'𝗦 π—šπ—₯π—”π—£π—£π—Ÿπ—œπ—‘π—š

Jay De Villa endured a difficult introduction to the ONE Championship stage.

The 30-year-old from Batangas fell to the grappling-centric offense of Japan's Myke Ohura in their featherweight MMA encounter on the supporting card of ONE Friday Fights 163, held at the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 24.

Nicknamed "The Technician," De Villa struggled to find answers once the bout hit the canvas. Ohura quickly showcased his domain expertise on the mat, attacking from the bottom before using his grappling to put the Filipino in constant danger.

After dragging the action to the mat, Ohura steadily improved his position while mixing in heavy hammerfists to keep De Villa on the defensive.

De Villa repeatedly tried to create space and work back to his feet, but Ohura maintained control throughout the exchange.

The Japanese bruiser eventually advanced from side control to mount before locking in a tight arm-triangle choke. With no avenue to escape, De Villa was forced to tap out at the 4:22 mark of the opening round.

The defeat snapped De Villa's three-fight winning streak as he dropped to 3-2.

Meanwhile, Ohura improved to 3-1 and returned to the win column after suffering the first loss of his professional career against Filipino prospect Hero Manguray in a lightweight contest earlier this year.

JUST IN: Jay De Villa πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­ (3-2) succumbs to a first-round arm-triangle choke against Myke Ohura πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ (3-1) in a featherweig...
24/07/2026

JUST IN: Jay De Villa πŸ‡΅πŸ‡­ (3-2) succumbs to a first-round arm-triangle choke against Myke Ohura πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ (3-1) in a featherweight MMA bout at ONE Friday Fights 163 tonight.

π—–π—Ÿπ—˜π—”π—₯π—˜π—— 𝗙𝗒π—₯ π—’π—‘π—˜ 𝗙π—₯π—œπ——π—”π—¬ π—™π—œπ—šπ—›π—§π—¦ 𝟭𝟲𝟯 π—–π—Ÿπ—”π—¦π—›Jay De Villa and Myke Ohura are officially set to square off after both fighters ...
24/07/2026

π—–π—Ÿπ—˜π—”π—₯π—˜π—— 𝗙𝗒π—₯ π—’π—‘π—˜ 𝗙π—₯π—œπ——π—”π—¬ π—™π—œπ—šπ—›π—§π—¦ 𝟭𝟲𝟯 π—–π—Ÿπ—”π—¦π—›

Jay De Villa and Myke Ohura are officially set to square off after both fighters successfully passed the official weigh-in and hydration tests ahead of ONE Friday Fights 163.

The featherweight contest is scheduled for the supporting card of the aforementioned event at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, July 24, with De Villa representing the Philippines against the Japanese bruiser.

The matchup gives the Filipino mixed martial arts prospect an opportunity to showcase his skills under the ONE Championship banner.

De Villa enters the bout carrying a 3-1 professional record.

His first two victories came by submission, while all three of his wins have come since dropping his professional debut.

The 30-year-old Batangas native will look to extend that streak against a familiar opponent to Filipino fight fans.

Ohura owns a 2-1 record and is seeking to rebound from the first defeat of his career.

The Japanese fighter previously faced a Filipino this past February when Hero Manguray stopped him by technical knockout in a lightweight contest.

This time, Ohura hopes to avoid a similar result and earn a victory against another representative from the Philippines.

Islam Makhachev gave us one of MMA's most iconic lines.Joshua Pacio may have just given it a Baguio edition. πŸ”οΈπŸ‡΅πŸ‡­πŸ˜‚
20/07/2026

Islam Makhachev gave us one of MMA's most iconic lines.

Joshua Pacio may have just given it a Baguio edition. πŸ”οΈπŸ‡΅πŸ‡­πŸ˜‚

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