Cordillera - Igorot mixed martial artist Jeremy "The Juggernaut" Pacatiw of
Team Lakay did not disappoint his fans after he defeated Chen "The Ghost"
Rui of China via unanimous decision in ONE: Battleground on Friday
night.
It's a sweet victory for Pacatiw in his One Championship debut in Singapore
showcasing his new skills in takedowns and grappling.
In the first round, the Igorot fighter unloaded a hard right hand punches followed by series of takedowns and submission attempts which the Chinese
fighter nearly got to tap.
Pacatiw continued earning points in the 2nd round as he attempted to put to
sleep Rui via arm triangle, but the resiliency of Rui emerged and ended up
on the back of Pacatiw.
In the third round, Pacatiw accidentally kicked Rui's groin forcing a
5-minute timeout for the latter to recover.
The fight continued with both fighters exchanging shots of punch and
takedown. "The Juggernaut" attempted another takedown which Rui immediately
avoided.
After three five-minute rounds, all the three judges scoring the bout
gave the victory to Pacatiw.
The proud Igorot fighter from Benguet improved his record to 11-4 while the
Chinese dropped to 9-3.
Cordillera - The undefeated Muay Thai superstar of Thailand has finally
responded to the request of Team Lakay Lito Adiwang for a match.
Recently, Lito Adiwang has been vocal in his call to have a fight with
Rodtang because he believed he has the toolset to tarnish the zero-loss
record of the Thai fighter.
"It also depends on the rule set, whether it is Muay Thai, kickboxing, or
MMA. If it were MMA, then I would like to have tome to train - at least one
year." Rodtang added.
The Team Lakay rising star fights in Mixed Martial Arts, while Rodtang
competes at kickboxing and Muay Thai.
Cordillera - The 'fast and furious' striker of Team Lakay, Lito "The
Thunder Kid" Adiwang released a statement that he is willing to fight ONE
Flyweight Muay Thai Champion Rodtang "The Iron Man" Jitmuangnon if the
promotion allows him to switch to ONE Super Series.
He said via One Championship that he is "1000" percent willing to pursue a
match with Rodtang as he saw some vulnerabilities from the Thai
fighter.
“I’m really willing to fight him – 1,000 percent. I’ll cross over to ONE
Super Series if they give me Rodtang," said Adiwang.
"I know I’ll come in as a heavy underdog, but I believe I have the
tools to beat Rodtang because I’ve been seeing holes in his game,” he
added.
Adiwang believed that many of the fans are excited to see a fight between
them. If the match happens it would be one of the biggest cross-over match
in the history of ONE Championship promotion.
“I’ve seen the clamor of our fans to see this fight, but it’s not just
them. It’s me. I really want this fight and I really believe that when we
face each other, we can bring out an exciting match. I’ll be at my best
because I know I can do it once I face Rodtang.”
Rodtang perfected a zero loss record at the promotion and compiled
over 250 wins since he turned pro at the age of 21. He reached the pinnacle
of success when he dethroned Jonathan Haggerty in 2019 to claim the ONE
Flyweight Muay Thai World Title.
For Adiwang, a product of Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series and a member of the Philippines’ most
elite mixed martial artists, his confidence, his strong mindset and work
ethic can help him wins against the most experienced Thai fighter.
"The team is so happy that we will finally get to compete together under
one promotion. Fans can expect a different and much better version of me,"
Pacatiw said.
Last year, Stephen Loman who came from Brave CF also signed with ONE
Championship and recently, the son of Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao signed
with ONE as well.
Cordillera - When Igorot fighter Joshua Pacio met the most dangerous Thai
fighter Pongsiri Mitsatit, he didn't hesitate to utilize his secret weapon
he called "The Passion Lock" which earned him the submission victory.
What he did during their battle at ONE: Reign of Kings three years ago was
submitting Mitsatit via modified Kimora lock, a new technique introduced by
Team Lakay in MMA arena.
"The Passion Lock" is a method of submitting your opponent at the back by
twisting their arm until they tap.
Pacio took pride of his teammates in Team Lakay for coming up with the
idea.
According to Pacio, it's a new concept of Kimora lock born out of the
constant pursuit of knowledge.
In his interview with ONE Championship, Pacio revealed the origin of their
new weapon.
He said, "We played around with the idea of other submissions from the
back. The rear-naked choke is obvious, but there had to be some other way to
finish from that position. At Team Lakay, we drill many different scenarios
when we train our grappling. This is one we came up with in our constant
pursuit of knowledge.
"I first tried this technique on Danny (Kingad), but that guy is extremely
strong and very tough, and it was not as effective. Then I tried it on Geje
(Eustaquio), and that is when I was able to execute it correctly," he
added.
Watch Joshua Pacio as he demonstrated how to implement "The Passion Lock"
It may seem this new technique of submission will be added to the things
every fighters in Team Lakay are going to learn inside the gym from now
on.
News Update: The Igorot fighter Kevin Belingon has accepted the
challenge from Indonesian fighter Sunoto.
“I accept the challenge of Sunoto! For him to see and test the fighting IQ
he is looking for,” Belingon said in a statement released through Team
Lakay’s social media.
Earlier, Sunoto calls challenge Belingon for a match up.
"What I really want is to face Kevin Belingon. I would like to meet a World
Champion if I am going into the Circle, but this is more realistic. If I
fight Kevin and win, it would elevate my name. Personally, I just love
seeing him in action. He’s so explosive. At the same time, I don’t actually
favor that style of attacking, one that unloads a lot of attacks. What I
like is a technical fighter. [If I beat Belingon], it is redemption and
proof that Indonesia is capable of beating Team Lakay," Sunoto said.
_________________________
Cordillera - It's no doubt that every MMA fans out there, when they heard
about Kevin Belingon fighting inside the cage, they are expecting him of
his signature strike - the spinning back kick.
Photo Courtesy || ONE Championship
The spinning back kick technique in Mixed Martial Arts is one of the
dominant weapon utilized by Team Lakay fighters over the
years.
In fact, the technique has been one of their signatures and has helped
them earned memorable knockout wins in ONE Championship
history.
Former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin Belingon used the spinning
back kick in his previous fights, notably against Andrew Leone during
ONE: Heroes of Honor on April 2018.
The kick was so powerful that Leone was thrown across the corner of the
ring.
Sensing an already weakened opponent, Belingon then swarmed Leone with
a barrage of punches to secure the TKO Victory.
Cordillera - ONE Championship has announced that Team Lakay head coach
Mark Sangiao's son Jhanlo has officially signed with the
promotion.
In a Facebook post from ONE Championship, it posted a welcome message to
Jhanlo Mark Sangiao.
"Give a warm welcome to Jhanlo Mark Sangiao, son of Team Lakay head coach
Mark Sangiao as he officially joins ONE Championship."
The 18-year-old Jhanlo didn't expect that he will be given an opportunity
to compete in ONE Championship.
"I didn't expect this. Even when my father gave me the contract, I was
confused. I was like, 'What is this?' Then I saw the ONE logo, and I
read it, and I was in disbelief, Jhanlo said via ONE
Championship.
His dream of competing in ONE Championship is now a reality.
"I really can't explain it because even when I was a kid, I truly wanted to
be here. I wanted to compete like all my kuyas in the gym. So I'm really,
really excited, Jhanlo added.
Coming from a bloodline of a multi-awarded coach who had produced MMA world
champions, Jhanlo has something big to show in the cage.
Fans who witness his recent bouts said that he is a well-rounded fighter
who can fight in his both stand up and ground game.
In fact his latest fights victories came via rear-naked choke.
"I my previous competitions in the amateurs, mostly I finish people with my
ground-and-pound and submissions, so I guess that's what people can expect
from me. That's all for now - it's better if they see it for themselves,"
Jhanlo said.
"When they say Team Lakay, the first thing that comes to people's mind is,
'This guys are deadly strikers.' But for me, I believe I'm a different
bread. I'm part of the new generation that needs to build weapons.
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.
Cordillera - Team Lakay's Edward"The Ferocious" Kelly outsmarted the
highly-touted Ahmed "The Prince" Faress of Egypt to win via Split-decision
at the previously-recorded ONE: Full Blast aired on 28th May 2021.
Kelly proved that he has an unfinished business in the Mixed Martial Arts
cage as he came strong and took everything he can to outpoints
Faress.
The first and second rounds had been discouraging upset for Kelly as he was
caught with a right hook that quickly sent him to the mat followed by a leg
triangle that nearly choked him out in the second.
However, Kelly bounced back in the later rounds with tremendous take downs
and big shots from his own as he took advantages of Faress getting weary and
tired.
Cordillera - Asia's largest sports media property ONE Championship is now
amongst the top 10 biggest sports media properties in the world for
viewership and engagement metrics across all platforms, according to a
survey by Nielsen.
ONE Championship formerly known as ONE FC also ranked the 3rd most watched
global sports media property in the world in terms of TV viewership
surpassing UFC which ranked in the 6th spot.
Nielsen survey charts shows that MMA has been the most popular sport being
watched in the world next to football.
Meanwhile, ONE CEO Chatri Sidyothong was elated with the latest survey and
expressed his gratitude to the team that made ONE the greatest MMA sport in
the world.
Read his message below:
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our superstar team at
ONE for everything. The world is still suffering from the worst global
crisis in a hundred years. And you have shown the world that impossible
is nothing. Thank you to the greatest team in the world for your heart
and hustle.
In 1903, 8 days before the Wright Brothers flew into the skies with the
first ever flyable airplane in history, a reporter at The New York Times
wrote an article about how it would take at least 1 million to 10
million years for mankind to build a flyable plane.
No one has ever changed the world with just the limits of logic. It has
always been passion, imagination, dreams, and guts that change the
world. We have, but one precious life. Let's live our greatness. Do what
it is that ignites your soul. Dream big. Do good. Chase your
greatness.
On the first quarter of 2021, ONE Championship has signed a deal with
United States' prime time television TNT to broadcast four-part series of
ONE bout cards.
The deal is seen to boost ONE Championship presence in the United
States.
Cordillera - World largest martial arts organization ONE Championship has
released the top 5 Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Submission Victories for the
first quarter of 2021.
The stunning victory of Igorota fighter Jenelyn made it to the top 3 after
submitting Maira Mazar during the ONE: Fists of Fury III on March 19, 2021
in Singapore.
Included in the list of top 5 MMA submissions were the battle between
Shinya Aoki and James Nakashima in top 1 followed by Gadzhimurad Abdulaev vs
Zebastian Kadestam in top 2.
The bout between Victoria Lee vs Sunisa Srisen and Ryuto Sawada vs Robin
Catalan were in top 4 and top 5 respectively.
Here's ONE Championship take on Jenelyn Olsim's top 3 MMA Submission
Victory:
Jenelyn Olsim capped a fine debut with a third-round victory over
#5-ranked women’s strawweight Maira Mazar ONE: FISTS OF FURY III on
19 March.
Olsim’s striking was her biggest weapon for much of the match, but her
route to victory came with a slick power guillotine submission.
Mazar initiated the clinch before a flurry of straight punches, but as
she latched onto Olsim’s leg to look for a takedown, she neglected to
protect her neck. The Filipina slipped her right arm underneath the
Brazilian’s chin and fed her head into the left bicep.
Knowing she was in danger, the Evolve representative dragged things to
the ground in an attempt to defend. Still, Olsim stayed glued to her
attack and rolled Mazar over – with the added pressure quickly drawing out
the Brazilian’s white flag.
Cordillera - Igorota fighter from Team Lakay in Baguio City submits
Maira Mazar of Brazil via Submission (Guillotine choke) at "ONE: Fists of
Fury 3" in Singapore on Friday evening.
The 24-year old who recently signed with ONE Championship scored an early
upset-of-the-year candidate after submitting No. 5-ranked strawweight Maira
Mazar in the 3rd round.
Olsim has been known for her powerful striking skill and this has been seen
during the bout when she took Mazar to the ground with a straight punch
right on the face early on the 1st round.
Shen then scored another knockdown in 2:19 in followed by a second round
knockdown via a front kick.
The Igorota power puncher has now improved her record with 4 wins and 2
looses.
With her newest big win in ONE, Olsim is interested to put her name on the
rankings to fight the likes of Ayakara Miura, Michelle Nicolini and Tiffany
Teo
Cordillera - Proud Cordilleran Lara Pearl Alvarez is one of the two
Filipino bets who joined the ONE Championship's edition of the hit reality
television series "The Apprentice" hosted by ONE chairman and CEO Chatri
Sidyothong.
Alvarez wanted to become an inspiration to her countrymen and to people
around the world that's why she joined the "The Apprentice".
The proud Igorota of Team Lakay, a former wushu practitioner who hails from
the city of Baguio dedicates her participation to her one-year-old son
Marcuz David.
“I just wanted to give my son a better life, that’s what compelled me to
try and audition for The Apprentice,” said Alvarez. “At the time, I didn’t
really imagine I could get in. But I was determined to give it a shot. So
when I got the news that I was accepted, I was in shock. I just couldn’t
believe it. But I was super happy I got in, and from there, I was motivated
to succeed.” Alvarez said.
Alvarez got pregnant and abandoned by her boyfriend when she was 22 years
old. Such misfortune didn't stop her to pursue her dreams to become an
accountant. She took the role as a single mother for her child while
studying and training with Team Lakay.
Soon, a wonderful opportunity knocked on her door, she was among the 16
candidates from 11 countries that were announced to join the global hit TV
reality show.
"I've been trough a whole lot, and everything I've done so far is for my
son to have a better life. Up to now, I still can't believe I was on The
Apprentice. I'm glad I took a chance. It's made me a stronger person, and a
better mother today," Alvarez said.
Alvarez had come to realize that being a single mother is not a setback but
a blessing for those who don't gave up on their dreams.
"I've gained more confidence in myself. I think I've proven that being a
single mother is not a setback. It is far from a setback. It's a blessing
because I was able to push myself harder. It gave me the strength to
push past my limits," Alvarez added.
Watch the trailer of the upcoming "The Apprentice" - ONE Championship Edition
“The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” is touted as the toughest
version in the show’s history, consisting of both business and physical
challenges.
It premieres on March 18, 2021 on AXN, the show's official Asian broadcast
partner.
The reality show will also be available on other platforms and TV networks
across Asia in March, including MediaCorp (Singapore), Abema (Japan),
KompasTV (Indonesia), Amarin TV (Thailand), LINE TV (Thailand), TV5 Network
(Philippines), and HTV (Vietnam).
Another Baguio-born candidate who joined the "The Apprentice" is Louie
Sangalang, a former URCC undefeated featherweight champion.
Cordillera - The longest reigning BRAVE Combat Federation Bantamweight
champion Stephen "The Sniper" Loman is leaving his throne to join his Lakay
teammates in ONE Championship.
Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao on a post on Facebook has confirmed the
news last night.
"Stephen Loman is one of the best fighters in the Philippines. His
all-around skills will be on full display in ONE Championship. I spoke to
Stephen and he's highly motivated right now. He can't wait to get in the
Circle and put on a show. Of course, I'll be there for him, as well as all
of his teammates at Team Lakay, every step of the way," Sangiao said.
The undefeated fighter of Brave CF has also confirmed the news.
“It’s an overwhelming opportunity, but I’m excited to join my Team Lakay
brothers in the biggest martial arts organization in the world," Loman
said.
Loman is departing the Middle East promotion with 13 wins and 2 defeats
making him the biggest star in the promotion.
Joining ONE champion would present a new challenge for Loman but would be a
great new environment to showcase his skills in the cage.
"I’m excited to enhance my skills on this platform and showcase my style to
millions of viewers across the globe. Of course, fighting in a new promotion and a new environment will be a
challenge, but it’s one I’m more than willing to face. I’m ready to show ONE
Championship fans the best of Stephen Loman," he added.
Cordillera - Team Lakay mixed martial artist Lito "The Thunder Kid Adiwang
is scheduled to face tough Chinese fighter "Wolf of the Grassland" Hexigetu
in ONE: Revolution.
Set on September 24, 2021, the young fighter from Cordillera will be
showcasing yet another exciting fight this year.
Prior to ONE Revolution, Adiwang was able to bounce back by defeating
Namiki Kawahara, while Hexigetu is on his three win streak so
far.
With a record of 8-4-0, Hexigetu holds the 2015 CMPC Fighter of The Year
when he defeated Ramon Gonzalez and former ONE Strawweight World Champion
Dejdamrong Sor. Amnuaysirichoke.
Cordillera - On January 9, 2021, the Russian Consul of the Russian Embassy
in the Philippines, Alexey Barmin visited Team Lakay Central Gym for a
workout and training.
The Russian Consul was impressed with Team Lakay conditioning and strength
after five rounds of training with Team Lakay head coach Jaybe Ban-eg.
Mr. Barmin said, the conditioning and strength from the gym is top notch
and made him improve a lot.
Team Lakay is home to some of the greatest Filipino Mixed Martial
Artists.
Their training takes advantage of the high altitude of Baguio city which is
around 1,500 meters above sea level.
That's one of the reason Team Lakay fighters can finish 5 rounds of boxing inside
the ring unexhausted and still feeling strong.
More than that, Team Lakay is a family where coaches, trainers and fighters
work together to achieve their goals.
Headed by multi-awarded coach Mr. Mark Sangiao, the team has produced world
champions in the names of Eduard Folayang, Honorio Banario, Geje Eustaquio,
Kevin Belingon and Joshua Pacio.
Watch this documentary produced by ONE Championship to get to know more
about this great team of Cordillera.
Cordillera - The spinning back kick technique in Mixed Martial Arts is one
of the dominant weapon utilized by Team Lakay fighters over the
years.
In fact, the technique has been one of their signatures and has helped them
earned memorable knockout wins in ONE Championship history.
Former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin Belingon used the spinning
back kick in his previous fights, notably against Andrew Leone during ONE:
Heroes of Honor on April 2018. The kick was so powerful that Leone was
flying across the corner of the ring.
Inspired by Belingon's success in utilizing the spinning back kick, former
ONE World flyweight champion Geje Eustaguio got a TKO victory against Toni
Tauru with a vicious spinning heel kick. Tauru was not able to continue the
fight after suffering a painful kick to the side of his solar plexus.
As shared by Belingon, what makes the spinning back kick so powerful and
vicious is the heel, as it carries tremendous amount of impact. When landed
perfectly, that impact can shatter ribs.
Some notable Team Lakay fighters who took advantage of this technique are ONE
Strawweight World Champion Joshua "The Passion" Pacio, former ONE
Lightweight Champion Eduard Folayang and Lito Adiwang.
Watch the seven-minute video compilation of Team Lakay's Best Spinning Back Kick by ONE
Championship below
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.
Photo Courtesy || One Championship, Black Belt & Joshua Pacio
Cordillera - Igorot mixed martial artist Joshua "The Passion" Pacio was
recently included in the list of top 10 "Best MMA Fighters in the World
Right Now" by Black Belt Magazine.
Black Belt is an American magazine covering martial arts and combat sports.
It is based in Valencia, California, and is one of the oldest titles
dedicated to martial arts in the United States.
The 24-year old Pacio of Benguet has been dubbed "one of the most exciting
athletes of today" because of his impressive performance every time he steps
inside the cage.
WATCH:Igorot fighter Joshua Pacio submits dangerous Thai fighter via "The
Passion Lock"
"ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua "The Passion" Pacio is one of the
most exciting athletes in the sport today. Each time the Filipino steps
inside the ONE Circle, he is looking to add another finish to his impressive
highlights reel as he continues to help grow the sport in The Philippines
with each and every performance. The Team Lakay representative is not just
building his legacy in ONE, but in his homeland, as he becomes a bigger star
and inspires a new generation," the magazine quoted.
The US-based publication also recognized the Igorot warrior in his
contribution in inspiring the younger Filipino generation.
Here are the top 10 Best MMA Fighters in the World right now:
Demetrious Johnson
Jon Jones
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Angela Lee
Christian Lee
Amanda Nunes
Israel Adesanya
Joshua Pacio
Adriano Moraes
Stipe Miocic
Pacio was also named among ESPN's top MMA fighters under 25.
Cordillera - "I need to win this for her". These are the words of Team
Lakay Lito Adiwang as a commitment to win his upcoming fight this
Friday.
Adiwang will be fighting, with his mom in his mind. Her mother has been
suffering from stroke since 2016 and got worsened last year.
"In 2016, she had her first stroke. She had to use crutches. In 2019, it
got worse. She suffered stroke and half of her body was paralyzed. From
there, her health continued to deteriorate until 2020, she became
bedridden," Adiwang said via ONE Championship.
The doctor told Adiwang's family to be prepared for the worst and to be
tough because her mother's remaining days are numbered.
This coming Friday, Adiwang returns to ONE Championship cage against Hiroba
Minowa of Japan in ONE: Inside the Matrix III in Singapore.
If Adiwang had one wish for her mom, that is to travel the
world with her.
"One of my dream is to bring her out of the country, to all these places
I've already been to," Adiwang said.
Although he felt that opportunity could not happen due to her present
condition, Adiwang continued to show his support and love to her mother and
promised to be a better son.
