Eustaquio shrugs off close loss, hopes to be included in Manila card

Photo from ONE Championship

JAKARTA — Geje Eustaquio took his split decision loss to Kairat Akhmetov in the main event of ONE: Total Victory on Saturday as a minor setback.

“We never lose. It’s either we win or we learn. It’s a learning process for me and my team and I would like to extend my gratitude to all the people who are always on my back,” he said.

Eustaquio was in control of the match in the first round, and even rocked the former ONE Flyweight Champion with a stiff kick to the nose, but the action was inexplicably halted momentarily by referee Yuji Shimada.

And Akhmetov quickly made adjustments, controlling the pace in the next two rounds to come out victorious.

The loss was a step back to Eustaquio’s bid to contend for the flyweight title.

“It’s hard to lose my momentum. A victory tonight might have catapulted me to a title shot, but I have to accept the outcome of the bout. It’s another lesson. The good thing about this sport is that losses are avenues for competitors to grow. Surely, I will learn from this and be a better martial artist,” said the Team Lakay stalwart.

Seeking to rebound fast, Eustaquio hopes to return to the cage as soon as the Manila card at ONE: Legends of the World slated on November 10.

“I am willing to be booked on any card, but of course I prefer to be slated for the Manila card in November. Let’s hope that I can be scheduled for that event. The journey is not over. It’s only the beginning,” he said.