DANNY Kingad emerged victorious in front of his fellow Filipinos after two of his Team Lakay fell against their respective rivals in ONE Championship’s Heroes Ascent at the Mall of Asia Arena Friday evening, January 25.
Kingad drew loud cheers from the packed crowd as he routed Japan’s Tatsumitsu Wada via unanimous decision while Geje Eustaquio lost the ONE flyweight world championship against Adriano Moraes in their third encounter via unanimous decision after an enthralling five round encounter as former featherweight world champion Honorio Banario gets grounded by Lowen Tynanes in the first round.
It was no walk in the park however for the 23-year-old Kingad.
With the flyweight contest up for grabs in the third and final round, Kingad exhibited his fluid striking and repeatedly hammered Wada with stinging hooks before rattling the Japanese competitor with kicks to the body.
Despite of Kingad’s offense, Wada did not go down easily and, as he did in previous rounds, he rushed in for a takedown. The Filipino reversed the position, pressed his opponent against the cage, and came close to completing the takedown of his own.
The win improved Kingad’s record to 12-1, and earned him a spot in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix.
“Paghahandaan namin yung grand prix at kung sino man sa kanila, I’ll be ready for them,” said Kingad.
Eustaquio meanwhile said he will not sulk over his loss to Moraes in their third encounter where the Brazilian champion is 2-1 against the former flyweight king.
“I thought I’m winning but it’s part of it. Tonight is not my night,” Eustaquio quipped.
With the flyweight grand prix taking shape, Eustaquio said he will get back to the drawing board and study what’s lacking in their arsenal which coach Mark Sangiao agreed.
“We go back home, asses what’s lacking, train harder and will be back better,” assured Sangiao.
Banario remains optimistic despite being 1 – 2 in his last three bouts.
“I will remain as lightweight and I feel stronger in this weight division,” Banario adds.