The fighters in the main event of ONE: Hero’s Ascent during the press conference at City of Dreams Manila. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Expect fireworks when Geje Eustaquio and Adriano Moraes meet for third, and what could likely be the final, time on Friday in ONE: Hero’s Ascent at Mall of Asia Arena.
In ONE Championship’s first trilogy in history, the Team Lakay bet and the Brazilian spitfire are determined to put an exclamation point to the one of the promotion’s most exciting rivalry.
“This is a world champion platform, if I have the chance to knock him out I’m going to grab it. I wouldn’t let that chance slip away but I believe he came hungry and a better fighter so it’s something to looking forward and I’m ready. The camp prepared for this show,” said Eustaquio who is defending his ONE flyweight belt.
There’s added motivation for Eustaquio to keep his strap after stablemate Joshua Pacio, one of Team Lakay’s four world champions last year, surrendered his ONE strawweight title in a split decision loss just last Sunday.
The Eustaquio-Moraes flyweight bout is @ONEChampionship’s first trilogy in history. pic.twitter.com/j8omPrVlDr
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 22, 2019
“It’s pressure and motivation for me to keep going. That’s another flyweight title for me to defend, and I have to do my best to retain that title,” said the 29-year-old Baguio native, who capped off press conference at City of Dreams with an impassioned speech.
Geje Eustaquio nothing but grateful to martial arts for changing his life. #WeAreONE pic.twitter.com/qGZqpdmInN
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 22, 2019
Moraes, though, is out to prove that he is the real winner of the trilogy, convinced that he beat Eustaquio in their second meeting in June 2018 despite the split decision going in favor of the Filipino fighter.
And the only way he knows how to show that is by trying to finish Eustaquio early.
“We’re gonna see history in this fight. I won the first and for me I won the second, and I will win the third one on Friday,” said Moraes. “It’s gonna finish early in the first or second. It’s not going to go to the judges.”
Their flyweight clash is the main event of a stacked ONE Championship card where two other Filipino will also try to extend their winning streaks.
“I’m so fired up,” said ONE Championship Chatri Sityodtong. “Last fight (between Moraes and Eustaquio) was a razor close decision, I’m sure both guys have studied each other more.”
Eustaquio promised that he has a lot of tricks up his sleeves for his third encounter with Moraes.
“I’m gonna be putting up some surprises, you’re gonna see it.”