Geje unifies ONE flyweight world title

GEJE Eustaquio proved he’s the king of rematches in One Championship after edging Adriano Moraes via split decision in their flyweight world championship unification match June 23 in Macau, China.

With the victory Eustaquio eared Team Lakay’s third world title in Asia’s largest mixed martial arts promotion following the footsteps of Honorio Banario (featherweight) and Eduard Folayang (lightweight).

“The feeling is awesome. I want to thank all my kababayans (countrymen) here who came out to support me. I came to Macau with one vision, and that is to [unify the flyweight titles], and I know I am not capable of doing this alone. I want to thank God, Team Lakay, and of course my family. And to all the fans, thank you so much for the undying support,” said Eustaquio.

Eustaquio was accurate in his striking after almost ending the bout in the first round with his ground and pound but Moraes was eventually saved by the bell.

Both men went back-and-forth, swapping solid blows and momentum-shifting takedowns from bell to bell. Neither of the two would give each other any quarter for five rounds as both men traded their best offense all throughout the highly-anticipated title unification contest.

“When I started 14 years ago, this was impossible. But now, after 14 years, impossible is not a word, it’s just a reason. Anybody can be a world champion, as long as you have the drive and the attitude. I am proud to be the undisputed ONE flyweight world champion this time,” added Eustaquio.

Eustaquio’s victory was also a sort of revenge after Moraes got the best of him in their first encounter in Myanmar for the inaugural flyweight world title match in 2014.

Since then, Eustaquio climbed back the ladder winning five of his last seven bouts including another split decision against Anatpong Bunrad and a unanimous decision win versus Kairat Akhmetov which earned him the interim flyweight title.

Bunrad and Akhmetov earlier defeated Eustaquio in their first meeting.

Eustaquio improved to 11-6 while Moraes suffered his only third defeat in 20 bouts.

Flyweight standout Danny Kingad also secured another victory putting on an electric performance for the raucous crowd in Macau, delivering a thrilling exchange of offense against Ma Hao Bin.

A former ONE flyweight world championship title challenger, Kingad utilized a heavy torrent of leg kicks and ferocious ground-and-pound to dominate Ma over three full rounds.

Edward Kelly however failed to make it three for three for Team Lakay as former featherweight word champion Narantungalag Jadambaa of Mongolia

Jadambaa turned in a vintage performance, stopping the top divisional contender by technical knockout in the second round.

The Mongolian fighter dominated both striking and grappling exchanges, while Kelly tried his best to fend off the former champion’s advances. However, Jadambaa’s pressure was too much to handle for Kelly, who succumbed to a series of ground strikes from the back. (Roderick Osis)

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