MANILA — A new Filipino Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) champ was crowned early Sunday.
Geje Eustaquio is now the official One flyweight champion after beating Adriano Moraes in the main event of One: Pinnacle of Power at the Studio City Event Center in Macau.
In a back-and-forth battle that ended in a split decision, it was the erstwhile interim champ’s striking prowess that prevailed over the Brazilian former champ’s ground game to unify both belts.
“When I started 14 years ago, this was impossible. But now, after 14 years, impossible is not a word; it’s just a reason,” said Eustaquio after winning. “Anybody can be a world champion, as long as you have the drive and the attitude.”
Eustaquio’s fellow Team Lakay member Danny Kingad also won in Macau, earning a unanimous decision victory over China’s Ma Hao Bin in a possible title contender match.
However, the other Lakay fighter in the card, Edward Kelly, lost to Narantungalag Jadambaa of Mongolia via second-round ground-and-pound TKO.
Kelly also saw his featherweight division knockout record getting shattered when China’s Li Kai Wen knocked the other Filipino in the event, Rodian Menchavez, out in just 10 seconds.
In the other title fight, Xiong Jing Nan of China successfully defended the ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship, defeating South American contender Laura Balin. (Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA)
