Lakays in tip top shape for One FC debut

Saturday, February 11, 2012

DESPITE going down in weight, Team Lakay’s Honorio Banario will still be in tip top condition when he debuts in the One Fighting Championship (FC) in Jakarta, Indonesia together with fellow stable mate Geje Eustaquio.

A natural 155-pounder, Banario will be squaring off in the 145 division for the first time against the dangerous Korean Bae Yong Kwon in the One FC event to be staged tonight at The BritAma Arena in North Jakarta.

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“He already made made the cut,” in a message by Banario’s teammate Eduard Folayang. “Hindi sya nahirapan sa pagkuha ng timbang.”

Banario will be a replacement fighter for Erick Kelly of Yawyan Ardigma, who is also a Baguio-based mix martial fighter just like the URCC lightweight champ.

“Banario has improved his striking skills for this event,” said coach Mark Sangiao in an earlier interview.

A veteran of Road FC, Kweon has an impressive record of six wins, including two knock-outs and two submissions with two defeats, one coming from American Mark Striegl way back in 2010.

Banario will seek his seventh career win with no defeats, including five fights which led to submission. He will be fighting in the featherweight division this time.

“They’re good to go. Honorio and Geje are in tip top condition,” added Folayang, who is also one of Asia’s sought after mix martial arts fighter.

Eustaquio, who has a two win-one loss record in his MMA career, will gun for his third when he battles Singaporean Alex Silva in the undercard who is eyeing a follow up to his first career win in MMA.

Sangiao, meanwhile, added Geje’s wrestling and grappling skills were among their concentration during the training camp to counter his opponent who is a Brazillian Jujitsu champion. (Roderick Osis)