Joshua Pacio Reclaims ONE Strawweight MMA World Title

Photo Courtesy || Eduard Folayang

Cordillera - Igorot Mixed Martial Artist Joshua "The Passion" Pacio reclaims the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title by disqualification brought by an illegal spike by American fighter Jarred Brook during the ONE166: Qatar on March 1, 2024. 

Pacio was immediately brought to the hospital for check-up, and as per report he was safe from possible injury based on the result of his CT scan.

"Joshua “The Passion” Pacio is clear in his ct scan results according to the doctor who read the results, there is no fracture, brain damage and neck injuries", Eduard Folayang wrote in a post. 

The American trash-talker Jarred Brooks unintentionally rendered an illegal spike to Pacio's head and striking it afterwards.

Under the Global Mixed Martial Arts Rule Set, slams to the head, neck, or spine are prohibited. Consequently, Brooks was disqualified in the first round at the 56-second mark, leading to Pacio being awarded the ONE strawweight MMA world title.

Meanwhile, Brooks sent a heartfelt message to Pacio, saying, "@joshuapacio, I wish nothing but the best for you, brother. I hope you're okay. I am sorry for letting down my family and the organization. I did not intend to do anything wrong. #andnew Congratulations!"

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Watch: Team Lakay Carlos Alvarez submits Thai opponent via Anaconda choke in 1st round

Photo Courtesy || ONE Championship

Cordillera - In a stunning display of skill and dominance, Carlos "The Limitless" Alvarez of Team Lakay secured his third consecutive victory under the ONE Friday Fights banner in just 57 seconds. 

Facing off against Thai-French opponent Title Chai, Alvarez wasted no time in asserting his authority inside the ring.

In the first round of tonight's ONE Friday Fights 36, Alvarez aggressively pursued a takedown against Chai, and it proved to be a masterful move. 

With precision and finesse, he executed a flawless anaconda choke, leaving Title Chai with no choice but to submit. The Thai-French fighter tapped out, and Alvarez claimed the victory.

This triumph propels Alvarez to an impressive record of 4 wins with no losses, showcasing his growing prowess as a submission specialist within Team Lakay. 

With a remarkable 100 percent finishing rate, Carlos "The Limitless" Alvarez continues to rise as a formidable force in Mixed Martial Art, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his next performance.

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WATCH: Igorot Fighter Lito Adiwang Defeats Mattheis with Lightning 23-Second Victory in Round One

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - In a stunning return to the mixed martial arts scene, strawweight powerhouse Lito Adiwang made his presence felt with a lightning-fast victory that left the crowd at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, in awe. 

Adiwang, who had been sidelined for 18 months due to injury, wasted no time in showcasing his remarkable skillset at ONE Friday Fights 34.

Facing off against Adrian Mattheis, Adiwang needed just 23 seconds to secure a victory that sent shockwaves through the MMA world. 

With a single, precise right hand to Mattheis' chin, Adiwang sent his opponent tumbling to the canvas in the opening moments of the bout.

Known for his relentless aggression and striking prowess, Adiwang pounced on the opportunity, unleashing a flurry of unanswered punches. 

The referee had no choice but to intervene and stop the contest, awarding Adiwang a quick and impressive technical knockout victory.

This triumphant return improved Adiwang's professional record to 14 wins and 5 losses, while Mattheis' record dropped to 11 wins and 7 losses. 

Adiwang's last appearance in the ONE Championship was at ONE: X in March 2022, where he sustained an injury in a bout against Jeremy Miado.

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Igorot Mixed Martial Artist Stephen Loman to Face John Lineker in Bantamweight Battle

In an electrifying matchup set to ignite the ONE Championship stage, Team Lakay's rising star, Stephen "The Sniper" Loman, is poised to clash with former bantamweight champion John "Hands of Stone" Lineker at ONE Fight Night 14 on September 30 (Philippine time). The stakes are sky-high as the victor secures a guaranteed shot at the reigning bantamweight kingpin, Fabricio Andrade.

Loman, the 31-year-old phenom, has been a force to reckon with since his debut in December 2021, amassing an impressive three-fight winning streak. His highlight reel includes a commanding unanimous decision triumph over former titleholder Bibiano Fernandes nearly a year ago. With a stellar 16-2 record, Loman commands the second spot in ONE's bantamweight rankings.

Loman admits the fight with Lineker is not easy that's why  he has been preparing for every scenario that could made him victorious over Lineker.

“He is a very dangerous striker. They don’t call him ‘Hands of Stone’ for nothing. Aside from that, he also has a granite chin. It is very hard to knock him out. In fact, he’s never been knocked out in over pro 40 fights, which is a testament to his toughness. To say that he’s just another challenge is an understatement. I’m not taking him lightly," Loman said.

“I’m preparing for the best John Lineker possible. Right now, we are focused on every aspect this fight could turn, whether that be in grappling, wrestling, or striking. We have to be prepared for every scenario," he added.

Meanwhile, Lineker, boasting a 36-10 record, stands as the division's top contender. The Brazilian veteran recently notched a third-round TKO victory against Jae Woong Kim, showcasing his enduring prowess. Notably, Lineker returns to the fray after a scale mishap cost him the title shot against Andrade.

As the countdown begins, the anticipation for ONE Fight Night 14 escalates, promising a collision of talents, a display of determination, and the forging of a path toward championship glory.

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Cordilleran MMA legend Eduard Folayang set for ONE return against Amir Khan

Eduard Folayang vs Amir Khan II

Cordillera - Eduard "Landslide" Folayang, the former holder of the ONE lightweight world title twice, is gearing up for a long-awaited comeback to the ONE Championship Circle next month. 

His return is set to be a compelling showdown as he faces off once again against Amir Khan at the ONE Fight Night 14 event: Stamp vs. Ham. This event is scheduled to unfold on September 30 within the confines of the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Their history traces back to 2018 when "Landslide" triumphed over the Singaporean contender, Amir Khan, in a dominant five-round match, securing his second ONE lightweight world championship in his storied career.

Eager anticipation is evident in Folayang's words, "I am filled with immense excitement as I anticipate the rematch with Amir Khan on September 30th." 

"This fight holds deeper significance than just a contest within the Circle. It symbolizes redemption, a chance to rewrite my narrative, and an opportunity to embark on an exhilarating new chapter in my journey.", he added.

Much transformation has taken place since Folayang's initial bout with Khan. Notably, he will now sport the banner of Lions Nation MMA, the fight team he established in June. His corner boasts the expertise of two accomplished coaches: Gibran Langbayan, a multi-medaled Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and Don-Don Colas, a seasoned striking coach.

Folayang's path to this juncture has been marked by challenges, yet he asserts, "I've harnessed strength from adversity, and I'm poised to display the fruits of my labor. I am primed to seize this moment and validate that setbacks are merely setups for resounding comebacks."

The veteran fighter's previous match took place in December 2022, resulting in a loss to Brazil's Edson Marques at the Mall of Asia Arena. Notably, he departed from Team Lakay in March 2023.

The Folayang-Khan clash is part of a formidable fight card, with the spotlight on the bout between two-sport World Champion Stamp Fairtex and the dynamic Ham Seo Hee, contending for the ONE Interim Atomweight World Championship.

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WATCH: Team Lakay's Carlo Buminaang demolished Iranian foe in just 52 seconds

Photo Courtesy || Team Lakay, ONE Championship

Cordillera - Carlo Von Bumina-ang, a rising star from Team Lakay, made a jaw-dropping debut at ONE Friday Nights 27 in Bangkok, Thailand, by swiftly knocking out his opponent in less than a minute. 

The Baguio-born fighter wasted no time, exhibiting no mercy as he pummeled Reza Saedi of Iran with a relentless barrage of power shots right from the opening bell.

In a dazzling display of skill and tenacity, Bumina-ang delivered a booming left straight that sent Saedi reeling. 

Smelling blood, he continued his assault with a flurry of straights, uppercuts, and knees, leaving the Iranian fighter defenseless. 

Referee Herb Dean had no choice but to stop the fight just 52 seconds into the bout, saving Saedi from further punishment.

An elated Bumina-ang expressed his gratitude, saying, "This feels so good. It's my first time here, and the people are so nice. I'm so happy I got the KO win." 

His teammate Carlos Alvarez, who remains unbeaten in Friday Fights, was in his corner, further solidifying Team Lakay's dominance.

With Bumina-ang, Alvarez, and the continuously rising Jhanlo Mark Sangiao, the future of Team Lakay appears to be in excellent hands, promising more thrilling performances and victories in the world of mixed martial arts.

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WATCH: Igorot wushu sensation Kevin Belingon knocks out Russian wrestler

Cordillera - When Igorot fighter Kevin Belingon met with a Dagestani wrestler in 2012, they made an exciting fight. The Russian star Yusup Saadulaev was determined and somewhat confident he will finished Belingon in the first round. But the young Igorot fighter fought back with his striking capability and caught the Russian with a powerful punch. 

Watch their fight below.

Who is Kevin Belingon?

Kevin Belingon is a professional mixed martial artist from the Philippines, a member of Team Lakay and competes in the bantamweight division of ONE Championship. He is a former ONE Bantamweight World Champion and is widely considered one of the best bantamweight fighters in the world.

Belingon began his professional MMA career in 2007 and quickly made a name for himself in the Philippines. He amassed a record of 7-1 before signing with ONE Championship in 2011. He quickly established himself as a top contender in the bantamweight division and earned a shot at the title in 2014, but came up short against then-champion Bibiano Fernandes.

After losing to Fernandes, Belingon went on a tear, winning six straight fights, including a split decision victory over Fernandes in 2018 to win the ONE Bantamweight World Championship. Since then, Belingon has successfully defended his title twice and has become one of the most popular and respected fighters in ONE Championship.

Belingon is known for his aggressive style and powerful striking. He is also a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, making him a well-rounded fighter. He currently holds a professional MMA record of 22-5 and is widely considered one of the top bantamweight fighters in the world.

In addition to his MMA career, Belingon is also a dedicated family man and is known for his humility and sportsmanship outside the ring. He's a true inspiration to many young Filipinos. He serves as an advocate for fitness and healthy living, and often uses his platform to encourage others to lead active lifestyles.

Kevin Belingon is a true warrior, a fierce competitor and a true representative of Philippines in the international martial arts scene. He will continue to inspire many aspiring fighters to follow their dreams, to never give up and to always strive for greatness.

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Lito Adiwang is back, to fight unbeaten Mansur Malachiev in January

Photo Courtesy || Team Lakay

Cordillera - After resting and recovering from injury, Team Lakay's hard-hitting fighter Lito Adiwang is finally back as he will return to action this January 2023. 

In an announcement by Team Lakay, Adiwang will be facing undefeated Mansur Malachiev on the undercard of ONE on Prime Video 6 on January 14, 2023 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

"Lito suffered an ACL injury last March and have been focusing on his recovery in the past months. Now, stronger and better, he will be back in the circle and remind the division who the Thunderkid is", the note said. 

For Adiwang, he is 100 percent ready for the fight after numerous unfavorable situations he was in.

“The desire to win this fight is one hundred percent. The monster in me has awakened again after all the pain and trials plus the losses of my teammates. I am coming to this fight with a bulletproof mindset,” Adiwang said.

“With back-to-back trials in my career and life, tasting defeats in the game, injury and losses in life, it's painful and demoralizing that I reached my breaking point. If I sank into these emotional and painful feelings it can be my downfall,” he added.

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WATCH: Jeremy Pacatiw submits Tial Thang via triangle choke, gets $50,000 bonus

Photo Courtesy || ONE Championship via tiebreakertimes

Cordillera - Team Lakay's Jeremy "The Jaggernaut Pacatiw earned another win in ONE Championship as he submitted Myanmar's Tial Thang with a deep triangle choke in the 2nd round during the ONE:164 Bantamweight battle held in the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Igorot warrior of Benguet stood out for his impressive boxing moves and attempted to finish the fight early in the first round with an arm bar choke. 

In the 2nd round, Pacatiw unleashed powerful combination of punches to the head which the American-Burmese fighter responded with punches of his own. Both fighter enjoyed the exchange with the delight of the fans.

Half-way through the round, Thang attempted a take down but failed. Pacatiw took the chance and dragged Thang to ground to end the bout with an armed bar submission.

“Respect to brother Tial Thang. He was very tough and very talented and I know someday we’ll face him again in the cage. I took an arm bar, but it was slippery. I looked for an opening and he gave me the triangle choke. It was ‘good night, Irene’,” Pacatiw said in an interview.

Chatri Sityodtong, the CEO of ONE, gave him a substantial gift in the amount of $50,000 for his impressive performance. He is the 2nd one of Team Lakay to receive such bonus after Jhanlo Sangiao.

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Jhanlo Sangiao wins via 1st round submission, earns 50K USD bonus

Photo Courtesy || Team Lakay

Cordillera - Jhanlo Sangiao, son of legendary Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao earns his 2nd win in ONE Championship as he submits Anacleto Lauron via a rear-naked choke during their encounter at ONE 164 on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

In a show of his grappling skills, Jhanlo took the fight to the mat and unleashed his vicious ground-and-pound against newcomer Anacleto Lauron. 

The Bantamweight prospect Jhanlo then choked Lauron by wrapping his arm around the latter's neck that forced him to tap at the 1:48 mark of round 1.

In his post-fight interview with the media, Jhanlo said he was confident to win the fight as he believed he was the stronger guy.

"I'm confident because I know I'm stronger than the guy. I'm stronger on the ground and in the stand-up," Jhanlo said.

Actually, I was supposed to strike with him, but I put him down and submitted him, I always practice my rear-naked choke in the gym," he added. 

Jhanlo was able to put the first win for Team Lakay after his two teammates Eduard Folayang and Jenelyn Olsim suffered a brutal knockout earlier.

He was also given the first USD50,000 bonus for Team Lakay athlete from ONE CEO Chatri Sidyothong for his incredible performance.

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Stephen Loman ranks 3rd in ONE Championship after beating Bibiano Fernandez

Photo Courtesy || SCMP

Cordillera - Ifugao pride Stephen Loman has proven that he is one of the best Filipino talent in ONE Championship after his convincing victory over former One Bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandez in November 19, 2022. 

The 27-year old warrior from Cordillera pummeled Fernandez with his deadly ground-and-pound strikes to outscore Fernandez and took a favorable win from the judges. 

Loman scored the biggest and most impressive victory in his recent fight lifting his ranking in the 3rd spot in the ONE Bantamweight division after Fabricio Andrade and John Lineker. 

Fans are excited to see Loman takes on John Lineker who defeated fellow Team Lakay Kevin Belingon. 

According to One, Loman is on the cusp of a ONE Bantamweight World Title shot, and should he win the crown one day, then he would join the ranks of Team Lakay greats such as Honorio Banario, Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, Geje Eustaquio, and the current ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio, all of who have earned the coveted gold.

With his first two ONE Championship fights ending in his favor, Loman has demonstrated that he fits right in with the organization’s elite bantamweights.

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Igorot warriors against the world on December 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena

Photo Courtesy || Team Lakay

Cordillera - As ONE Championship returns to Manila, Philippines, four Team Lakay warriors are set to be showcasing their skills inside the cage against different fighters from around the world. 

Coming up this December 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena four Igorot MMA fighters are being added to ONE 164: Pacio vs. Brooks card.

The long-awaited clash between ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua "The Passion" Pacio against American challenger Jarred "The Monkey God" Brooks will be the main event of the night.

Another exciting fighter of Team Lakay, Danny "The King" Kingad is back and will be defending his fourth rank against Gurdashan "Saint Lion" Mangat in the ONE Flyweight Division. 

Meanwhile, former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje "Gravity" Eustaquio is also in the Manila card and will be sharing the cage with ONE Hero Series alum Hu "Wolf Warrior" Yong.

Also included in the card is Jeremy "The Jaguar Pacatiw who will be facing Tial "The Dragon Leg" Thang from Myanmar.

Another exciting Filipina Mixed Martial Artist Jenelyn Olsim is also in the list to face hard-hitting Meng Bo of China.

Support our Team Lakay fighters from Cordillera. You can buy your tickets at:  https://smtickets.com/events/view/11439

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Team Lakay's Joshua Pacio to defend his crown against Jarred Brooks in June 3, 2022

Photo Courtesy || ONE Championship

Cordillera - The biggest clash of two big names in ONE Strawweight division is finally happening this June. 

Sports Illustrated has announced that reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio will be facing American challenger Jarred Brooks in the main event of ONE 158 scheduled on June 3, 2022. 

The Igorot champ will be defending his crown against top contender Brooks in Singapore Indoor Stadium. 

Brooks, a new comer in ONE earned him a spot for Pacio after defeating Lito Adiwang, Hiroba Minowa and Bokang Masunyane in a straight win. 

For Pacio, he retained his title until today and has been ready for Brooks' challenge. 

"I am the champion and ready to defend. I know Jarred will come as strong as he is, as ready as he is, but I'm going to use all the tools we've been working on. 

Pacio had defended his title against Rene Catalan, Alex Silva and Japanese Yosuke Saruta. 

He and his team has been preparing for the bout and is committed to cementing his title as the greatest Strawweight champion in ONE. 

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WATCH: Eduard Folayang beats Parr; knocks him down in 2nd round

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - Igorot Wushu specialist and former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard "The Landslide" Folayang won a convincing victory against Muay Thai legend John Wayne Parr  in their lightweight bout in ONE: X in Singapore on March 26, 2022.

The Cordilleran warrior scored a second-round knockdown with a right hand after pummeling Parr with powerful body shots and precise combinations.

He followed his relentless attack on Parr with his signature spinning back kick but the Aussie showed the spirit of being a legend, he survived the Igorot onslaught until the last round.

However, Parr didn't give up and redeemed himself in the 3rd round after delivering a flying left knee which Folayang respectfully absorbed.

The two legends took each other punches and kicks towards the end as Parr, a former 10-time World Champions finally closed the chapter of his combat sport with a 99 wins on top of 45 KOs, and 34 losses.

Meanwhile, Folayang advances his winning score and wished ONE Championship would give him another super fight maybe against Sage Northcutt. 

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WATCH: Ifugao fighter Loman knocks out Russian fighter Saadulaev in Singapore

Cordillera - Ifugao fighter Stephen Loman has proven once again that he is the best fighter in the Bantamweight division when he shuts off the lights to Russian fighter Saadulaev on Friday 17 December 2021.

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Loman, the newcomer in ONE capitalized on his striking power, catching the Russian fighter with a left straight punch that immediately sent him down to the ground. 

The former Brave CF champion has improved his record to 14 wins and 2 losses with 4 of those wins coming by way of TKO and 2 submission victories.

WATCH ALSO: Jhanlo Sangiao Crushes Paul via Rear-Naked-Choke

Loman just defeated one of the considered submission specialist in ONE Championship.

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WATCH: Team Lakay's Jhanlo Sangiao crushes Lumihi with an epic submission victory

Photo Courtesy || ONE Championship

Cordillera - It's a huge victory for Team Lakay as son of veteran coach Mark Sangiao won its first fight in ONE:WINTER WARRIORS II in Singapore.

19-year-old Jhanlo Mark Sangiao submitted Indonesian fighter Lumihi via rear-naked-choke in the first round. 

True to his word, Jhanlo finally made his dream a reality, to be successful in his ONE debut. 

WATCH ALSO: Ifugao fighter Loman knocks out Russian fighter Saadulaev in Singapore

"This is a fight that I was waiting for since I was a kid. This has always been a dream of mine. Now it's all about making sure we end up on top and making this a reality," Jhanlo said before the fight.

Jhanlo thanked his team mates, his father Mark and ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sidyothong for letting him have the opportunity to show his talent.

Congratulations Jhanlo Sangiao.

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"Team Lakay is genuinely one of the best teams in the planet" - ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong

Photo Courtesy || Mark Sangiao

Cordillera - ONE Championship CEO and Chairman Chatri Sityodtong was impressed with the performance of two young fighters from Team Lakay during the recently held ONE:Revolution in Singapore. 

"Team Lakay is genuinely one of the best teams in the planet and I'm just blown away by this younger generation and I can't wait for them," said Sityodtong.

Photo Courtesy || ONE Championship

READ: The igorot warriors that bring Philippine MMA to the world's spotlight

Both Joshua Pacio and Lito Adiwang had been victorious in their latest fights. 

The 25-year-old Pacio successfully defended his ONE Strawweight World Championship against Yosuke Saruta after scoring a first-round technical knockout win. 

WATCH: Team Lakay Joshua Pacio knocks out Saruta in the 1st round

Sityodong said he was "blown away" by Joshua's performance. 

Meanwhile, Adiwang scored a unanimous decision win over Hexigetu in the same card. 

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WATCH: Team Lakay Joshua Pacio knocks out Saruta in the 1st round

Photo Courtesy || Team Lakay

Cordillera - It didn't take long for Igorot fighter Joshua Pacio to end the unfinished business with Saruta as he delivered an impressive performance tonight during ONE: Revolution in Singapore. 

In their trilogy match on September 24, Pacio unloaded a powerful right hook to the head of Saruta followed by several head shots that knocked out the Japanese fighter in the remaining 1.15 minutes in the first round. 

WATCH: Igorot fighter Lito Adiwang defeats Hexigetu in ONE: Revolution

It was a superb display of timing, power and focus for the Igorot mixed martial artist from Cordillera. 

Pacio remains as the title holder for the ONE Strawweight belt and retains the record as the lone Filipino champion in ONE. 

With his win tonight, Pacio improved his record fight to 20 wins with 3 losses. 

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Igorot fighter Lito Adiwang defeats Hexigetu in ONE: Revolution

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - Team Lakay mixed martial artist Lito Adiwang is victorious tonight as he defeated Chinese grappler Hexigetu on the loaded ONE: Revolution tonight (September 24, 2021) in Singapore. 

Early in the first round, the Igorot fighter unloaded a flying knee kick on Hexigetu followed by a powerful high kick to the head that got the Chinese stunned and running. 

WATCH: Team Lakay Joshua Pacio knocks out Saruta in the 1st round

Hexigetu who is known for his grappling skills didn't work out well in his encounter with Adiwang as he was force to follow Lito's dictate to put the fight in the standing position. 

Lito's take down defense is impressive through out the whole fight while Hexigetu was quite frustrated on putting the Team Lakay kid to the ground. 

It was a victory for Lito as he improved his fight record to 13 wins with 2 losses. 

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WATCH: Igorot fighter Pacatiw emerges victorious vs Chen Riu of China

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. 

Photo Courtesy || ONE Championship

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.

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