Sparkle artist Rocco Nacino has become the chief executive officer of Zeus Combat League (ZCL), a mixed martial arts promoter.

During a recent media conference to announce his latest venture, Rocco revealed that his love affair with mixed martial arts, particularly jiu-jitsu, began as he was about to go to college.

"Yung mixed martial arts, pumasok yan noon when I was heading to college. Nagko-commute lang ako eh. Bilang praning na tao, anytime puwedeng may mangyari sa akin. I want to be quick. So I did it. jiu- jitsu, Muay Thai, boxing at kung anu-ano pa ang ginagawa ko," Rocco said.

But Rocco admitted he fell in love specifically with jiu-jitsu. "It's a sport where you bring the fight to the ground. Nag-aral ako ng different fighting systems mainly to protect me. I want to be careful and safe in the streets. Now, I am proud to say I'm a third-degree brown belt in jiu-jitsu."

As CEO of ZCL, Rocco wants to promote jiu-jitsu nationwide. His wife, Sparkle artist Melissa Gohing, supports his new venture.

"We want to go around the Philippines to gather talents and bring them into one stage para ipakita natin ang galing ng Pilipino. Hindi lang sa Manila kundi buong Pilipinas talaga. 

"We have partners, and it's finally happening. I don't just want to be a partner. Please make me an active partner. Please don't put me behind the stage. I want to be there," Rocco said.

Rocco, 37, also mentioned that his group will advocate for including jiu-jitsu in the Olympics.

"We are trying to push for it pero may mga inayos pa for regulations para maipasok sa Olympics. Even other countries are pushing for it. Recently, yung mga fighters earned millions from their fights. 

"So talagang sumisikat na yung sports at natimbrehan na yung ibang groups. Hopefully in the future makasama na sa Olympics," the actor said.

Rocco also described himself as a mixed martial arts practitioner, not a fighter. During his competition, Rocco vividly remembered the intense moments of being in a fight.

"Let's say I'm a practitioner, not a fighter because a fighter is a strong word. Hindi ko rin pwedeng basagin ang mukha ko kasi nasa kontrata ko yan sa GMA Network.

"There have been instances na naapektuhan na yung balikat ko. Nagkaroon na ako ng injury sa elbow, sa wrist.

"I already competed, and it was fun. Sabi ko, that was the longest four minutes of my life. Sabi ko sarili ko, 'Hindi pa ba tapos ito? Nagsusuntukan kami. Ano ang gagawin ko? Ginugulpi na ako.' Akala ko madali lang ang sport na ito dahil nanood tayo. 

"Coming from a fighter's perspective tulad ng boksingero, para sa akin ang tagal ng four minutes. What more kung sa mixed martial arts fighter? You have to stay five minutes per round. You only have 30 seconds to one minute para magpahinga and do it all over again. So hanga ako sa mga fighter natin," Rocco also said.

ZCL President and former MMA fighter Burns Soriano said he invited Rocco to be part of the group as they have shared a long-standing friendship.

“One time, sinabi ko sa kaniya, 'Bro, baka gusto mong mag-join dito sa Zeus Combat League?' kako. 'Magiging perfect 'yung partnership kapag pinagsama. Dun na nagsimula. Nag-reply siya, nag-meeting kami, tapos from there, naisip na namin 'yung mga iba't ibang idea para ma-promote and gumanda lalo 'yung mixed martial arts sa Pilipinas,” said Burns.

Teaching kids

Rocco also said he utilizes his passion for jiu-jitsu to foster humility and discipline in children through this popular mixed martial arts sport. Following the pandemic, everything changed.

"It's a passion project, and I do it in Antipolo. It consists of a small class, small room pero meron akong mga 40 kids na tinuturuan sa jiu-jitsu, paano bumagsak, how to say no when people start to bully them. Yun ang pino-promote ko. Humility at pag-iwas sa away," he said.

Rocco added: "It happened after the pandemic. Marami tayong free time. So naisip ko kakawang-gawa ko na. Kaya yung mga parents lumalapit sa akin para tanungin kung pwede nila i-enroll ang mga anak nila kasi madalas siya sa telepono or YouTube." 

He emphasized that mixed martial arts taught him in numerous ways.

"I learned how to go about any kind of problem. I love sports. I know a lot of other sports, but I could capitalize a problem and find a way to win. Doon ko siya naa-apply sa buhay ko. So kahit na ano ang mapunta sa akin gagawan ko ng paraan yan. 

"I stay grounded at lagi kong alam na may magaling kesa sa akin. Hindi ako naging ma-ere na tao. That I can apply also. For my mental health, when I do complex characters, and I need a reset, I do jiu-jitsu. 

"Pati yung hormones na makukuha mo at the same time natutulungan yung brains mo mag-isip. It resets you. In general sports, it will help you. So yun ang ilan sa mga magagandang naidulot sa buhay ko ng jiu-jitsu," Rocco added.