MANILA, Philippines—Five Filipino fighters share the stage and test their mettle against dangerous opponents in the stacked ONE: Dawn of Heroes card Friday night at Mall of Asia Arena.
Carrying the banner for the Philippines in what is sure to be an action-packed night are Team Lakay bets Eduard Folayang, Danny Kingad, Geje Eustaquio, Honorio Banario and Edward Kelly.
In the card’s most anticipated fight, Folayang takes on mixed martial arts legend Eddie Alvarez for a place in the ONE Lightweight Grand Prix finals.
“He says this isn’t the right time, but I believe it’s God’s time. It’s a huge honor for me to be able to test my skills against him. My preparations have gone well. I lost my belt last March. That chapter of my career has closed. It’s time to write another chapter of my journey,” said Folayang.
The 23-year-old Kingad, the hottest fighter right now from the famed Baguio stable, tries to make it six in a row as he faces Australia’s Reece McLaren in the World Grand Prix semifinal bout and he’s more than honored to be sharing the card with his Team Lakay brothers.
“Personally, I think having five of us Team Lakay members competing on the same card is advantageous,” said Kingad. “Everyone’s always at the gym training and we’re all focused and determined to be in the best condition possible.”
A lot is at stake for former ONE Flyweight world champion Geje Eustaquio, who looks to keep the road back to the title going against a determined Yuya Wakamatsu in the Flyweight Grand Prix alternate bout.
“I think the best factor that will lead me to victory in Manila is my experience. Just like what I’ve said the last time, I’ve seen them all. I fought the best and learned a lot from them,” said Eustaquio.
Meanwhile, Banario tries to get back on track against Dae Sung Park while Edward Kelly opens the show for the Filipino bets with the featherweight bout against China’s Xie Bin.
In the main event, Martin Nguyen stakes his ONE featherweight world strap against Koyomi Matshushima in his return to Manila since losing to Belingon in a bantamweight showdown last year.
“On Friday night, you all are in for a treat. I’ve been working so hard and I’m sure he’s been working so hard as well. But this is my division, and still,” said Nguyen.
Co-headlining the event is the Flyweight Muay Thai showdown between newly-crowned champion Jonathan Haggerty against Thai challenger Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
Pound-for-pound king Demetrious Johnson also makes his Manila debut, squaring off against Japan’s Tatsumitsu Wada in the other ONE Flyweight Grand Prix semi matchup.