WITH Joshua Pacio retaining his ONE Championship strawweight title and Stephen Loman named as Brave Combat Federation (CF) fighter of the year, the House of Representatives on Tuesday, February 11, honored the Team Lakay fighters for their exemplary contributions.
Eric Go Yap, Benguet legislative caretaker and Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support (ACT-CIS) Party-list representative filed House Resolution No. 707 commending Pacio, Loman and Eduard Folayang for their exemplary contributions to Benguet and to the field of mixed martial arts.
The three are members of famed Team Lakay founded in 2003 by former wushu and mma athlete Mark Sangiao.
Yap remarked the province takes pride of the achievements of the three as they represent the values for Benguet.
“We recognize their talents, skills, and passion for MMA. Malaking karangalan ito para sa Benguet at para sa bansa! Lalong nakikilala ang galing ng Pinoy sa eksena ng Mixed Martial Arts. Katulad ni Mr. Folayang, siya ang nagbigay daan para sa mga mas batang local fighter,” Yap said.
Pacio earlier defeated Alex Silva by split decision at ONE: Fire & Fury at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila.
Silva would spend the majority of the contest hunting Pacio for the takedown, at times pulling guard to bring matters to the ground where he held the advantage.
Pacio, however, would exhibit stellar submission defense, and often was able to get back up to his feet. In the standup, Pacio shined, peppering Silva with pinpoint accurate combinations. In the end, Pacio did just enough to earn the decision on the scorecards.
Pacio also made a record in ONE becoming the first fighter to defend the division’s title two times in a row.
Loman, meanwhile, was named Brave CF’s fighter of the year for the second straight year defending his bantamweight title twice in 2019 defeating former featherweight world champion Elias Boudegzdame with a fourth round TKO and then edged Louie Sanoudakis, from Canada by unanimous decision.
“They already brought us great pride and joy when they represented the Philippines. But they did more than that, they excelled in their respective divisions waving our flag proudly. Proud kami sa inyo,” the Benguet caretaker said.
Yap also expressed his support in promoting the sport not only in Benguet, but to the Filipino youth nationwide.
“Layunin natin na maging sentro ng MMA ang Benguet, na kung saan maaaring magsanay ang mga baguhan at propesyonal na MMA fighters na hangad na pagbutihin ang kanilang husay sa larangan na ito at hangad na magbigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa. Ating tinutungo na dito mismo sa ating probinsya manggaling ang pinakamagagaling at pinakamatitikas na MMA fighters hindi lang sa bansa, pero sa buong mundo,” Yap said.