Former Igorot Champ Honorio Banario to compete in SEA GAMES in Vietnam

Photo Courtesy || ONE Championship

Cordillera - Former ONE Championship featherweight champion Honorio Banario of Team Lakay will be representing the Philippines in kickboxing sport in the upcoming Southeast Asia Games in Vietnam.

Banario is hoping to bring to the country a gold medal although he admitted kickboxing is much different to Mixed Martial Arts where he excel.

"The training is different here for the SEA Games. The mentality is different. Here, you need speed and volume. I hope that I will bring glory to the Philippines," Banario said via Team Lakay official FB page. 

The former One Featherweight World Champion entered the world of martials arts at the age of 16 to help him overcome his low self-esteem and prevent him from vice. 

Banario started his career in MMA when he earned wushu scholarship at the Cordillera Career Development College in La Trinidad. 

During that time, he won numerous wushu tournaments until he was invited by coach Mark Sangiao to join Team Lakay to improve his skills in Mixed Martial Arts. 

Entering Team Lakay was a right decision for Banario as he won his first six bouts in his early career. That opened him an opportunity to fight under ONE Championship promotion and during the process he has scored the biggest win of his career when he dethroned undefeated Eric Kelly. 

Defeating Kelly in the fourth round helped him become the inaugural ONE Featherweight World Champion.

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WATCH: Team Lakay's Banario flattens Jaroslav Jartim with a powerful left hook to the jaw

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - Former One Championship featherweight champion Honorio Banario flattens his opponent with a powerful punch during ONE Championship: King of Destiny. 

The 28-year-old Banario, a native of Mankayan, Benguet delivered his four straight wins in his mixed martial arts career when he finished Jaroslav Jartim via technical knockout in the 2nd round.

The single left hook that finished the Czech fighter had been a superb performance for Banario as it earned him his first real knockout since stopping Andrew Benibe at ONE: Pride of Nation in 2012. 

READ ALSO: Honorio Banario: The first Igorot/Filipino to become MMA World Champion

When Jartim delivered a body kick, Banario countered with a punching combination. 

It caught Jartim with a left hook that landed in his jaw. 

The result was a devastating 2nd round TKO.

READ ALSO: Igorot Kelly knocks out Cambodian Meul in 21 seconds: records fastest TKO in ONE Championship

"The win was so memorable. I was all muscle memory, because in training, the left hook is always my go-to-move," Banario said during an interview.

"It landed flush during the match. I went home with a big smile on my face," he added.

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Honorio Banario: The first Igorot/Filipino to become MMA World Champion

Photo Courtesy || One Championship & Honorio Banario

Cordillera - Martial arts has been a big contributor in helping a then  young Banario of Mankayan, Benguet fulfill his dream to become successful in life. 

The former One Featherweight World Champion entered the world of martials arts at the age of 16 to help him overcome his low self-esteem and prevent him from vice. 

Banario started his career in MMA when he earned wushu scholarship at the Cordillera Career Development College in La Trinidad. 

During that time, he won numerous wushu tournaments until he was invited by coach Mark Sangiao to join Team Lakay to improve his skills in Mixed Martial Arts. 

Entering Team Lakay was a right decision for Banario as he won his first six bouts in his early career. That opened him an opportunity to fight under ONE Championship promotion and during the process he has scored the biggest win of his career when he dethroned undefeated Eric Kelly. 

Defeating Kelly in the fourth round helped him become the inaugural ONE Featherweight World Champion.

The Igorot champion credits his toughness in the ring to growing in a farm where he helped his parent plant vegetables. 

Banario said in ONE, "When I was young, going to the farm was not mandatory. You could go if you wanted to, go home if you're tired, rest, and then go back again. It was like I was playing because I was young and I didn't see it as a responsibility for me."

"It was hard, but I always thought of it as playing, so that's why I never felt the pressure of going to the farm or saw it as hard work, and I actually enjoyed it instead," he added.

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Honorio 'The Rock' Banario defeats Thai foe via split decision

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - iMankayan mixed martial artist Honorio 'The Rock' Banario made a successful return to the featherweight division after defeating Shannon Wiratchai of Thailand via split decision. 

The Igorot fighter has proven that he has not yet slowed down in the mixed martial sports after showing great improvement in the fight against Wiratchai during their match-up in ONE: King of the Jungle on Friday night in Singapore. 

His successful return in the featherweight division helped him break his three-fight losing streak from his previous fight. 

Banario invested heavily in his ground and pound strategy to keep Wiratchai on the ground, mainly in the later part of their bout. 

The former ONE featherweight champion improved his record with 15 wins and 10 losses. 

Congratulations Honorio Banario

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Eduard Folayang beats Amir Khan, reclaims ONE World Lightweight title back

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - Team Lakay top fighter Eduard "Landslide" Folayang's journey to the Promised Land has been finally reached as he defeated Amir Khan of Singapore in ONE: Conquest of Heroes on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Folayang has proven that he is not yet done with the sport, after beating younger fighther Amir Khan who defeated his teammate Honorio Banario via first round submission.

In the 2nd round of the bout, Folayang showcased his ring superiority by pummeling Khan with series of spinning back punches. Both fighters survived until the fifth round but all rounds are clearly won by Folayang. 

Three judges scored the bout via unanimous decision giving victory to the Baguio native. 

The 35-year old Folayang finally got his birthday wish, winning back ONE Lightweight World Title.

"There's no greater gift I can receive on my 35th birthday other than winning the ONE Lightweight World title back," Folayang said. "And there's no better place to do it but in front of my countrymen" he added.

As the most coveted belt in the world is now in his possession, Folayang improved his record to 21 wins with only 6 defeats.

Likewise, his teammate Honorio Banario won via unanimous decision against his Indian foe.

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