Strikers Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio and Honorio “The Rock” Banario are ready to return to the ONE Championship cage this Friday, December 2, at ONE: AGE OF DOMINATION, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.
Known as one of the most highly-skilled striking specialists in the Philippines, Team Lakay’s Eustaquio has the ability to stay in the pocket and nullify an opponent’s offense, perhaps the most deliberate of any fighter in the promotion. This unique striking advantage will surely come in handy in his next bout.
He will take on Finnish fighting sensation Toni “Dynamite” Tauru in a three-round bantamweight contest on the main card.
Tauru, a grappling specialist, has 10 wins on his professional record. Seven of those 10 victories have come impressively by submission.
But despite Tauru’s daunting submission credentials, Eustaquio feels it’s time to see if Tauru can take the heat from a fluid striker such as himself.
“[Toni Tauru] likes to throw a lot of punches but I don’t think he is all that accurate,” said Eustaquio. “That’s probably one weakness that I think I can exploit a little bit. Obviously I like to strike, so I will try to test his ability in a striking battle.”
However, since mixed martial arts is a combination of striking and ground fighting, bouts usually end up on the mat one way or another. If the fight indeed does head to the ground, Eustaquio says he is confident enough to handle even a fighter as skilled as Tauru.
“We all know that the weakness was the grappling,” said Eustaquio about Team Lakay’s perceived lack of grappling skills.
“We just weren’t on the same level as our international opponents. But through everyone’s hard work, everyone on the team, now I think we are getting closer to their level, in terms of grappling,” he added.
Eustaquio says he feels great and that training camp has been one of the toughest and most satisfying yet. “My conditioning is on point. We are at ninety percent right now. By fight week we’ll be at a hundred percent and I’ll be ready,” said Eustaquio.
Eustaquio has been campaigning as a flyweight in ONE Championship for most of his career. He began his rise through the ranks with a comprehensive victory over grappling specialist Alex Silva nearly four years ago. In 2014, Eustaquio challenged then champion Adriano Moraes for the ONE Flyweight World Championship belt.
Since ONE Championship revamped its weight management policies, Eustaquio made the move up a division higher to 135-lbs. which is around his natural walking weight.
Although the results have been positive, Eustaquio says he misses the power he had as a flyweight and is now mulling a move back down.
“I went up to bantamweight to try to test the waters. I had a pretty good experience. But I think I am a lot stronger as a flyweight,” said Eustaquio. “I plan to end the year at bantamweight and by 2017, drop back down to flyweight.”
On the other hand, Baguio City’s veteran striker Banario (10-6) is scheduled to face Indian boxer Rajinder “Knockout” Singh Meena (8-2) in a three-round undercard bout.
Banario, a winner of his last two fights, says he is wrapping up training and ready to make the trip down to Manila for fight night.
“I’m a hundred percent ready to go back in there again. In victory or in defeat, I will never stop doing what I love to do,” said Banario.
“I never stop training. I train all year round. Whether I have an upcoming fight or not, I’m always prepared. True martial artists are always in search of perfection of their craft. I can’t wait to go back inside the cage and show the world how much better I have gotten.”
Banario’s opponent, Singh Meena, is expected to give him another stiff challenge. Singh Meena has eight victories on his fight resume, but more impressively, all of his victories have come by exciting finish which includes five submissions and three knockouts.
Because both fighters do not know how to back down and will most likely engage in a fan-friendly affair, Banario fully expects fireworks for however long the fight will last.
“I know this fight against Rajinder will be really exciting. He is a good fighter. I respect what he has been able to do inside the cage. It’s not easy,” said Banario.
“We’re both really good in striking and grappling. It should be interesting. I’m a hundred percent prepared. I trained and sparred with Eduard [Folayang] for this fight, and I think I’m in great condition.”
Folayang, of course, won the ONE Championship world lightweight title just a couple of weeks ago in Singapore. The SEA Games wushu gold medalist dethroned Japanese MMA legend Shinya Aoki, stopping the now former champion in three rounds.
Banario says the win has inspired him to train harder.
“It was such a joy to watch my friend and brother win the title. I am happy for him. It is an amazing feeling because I know I was able to help him achieve his goals,” said Banario. “We always try to help each other in training, and we have improved a lot together.”
As a former ONE Featherweight World Champion himself, Banario is no stranger to adversity. Banario won the featherweight strap back in 2013 only to lose it in his first defense against Japanese foe Koji Oishi who needed just one punch to knock Banario out cold.
It was a forgettable experience for Banario, who blamed a weakened state for the loss.
“When I was a featherweight, I had such a hard time making the featherweight limit. It’s so hard to cut weight, it’s the hardest thing about being a fighter,” said Banario. “Back then, I had to cut 12-15 kilos every single time. I was always drained for fights. When Koji [Oishi] hit me then, I wasn’t really that hurt. But because of the massive weight cut, I felt very weak.”
ONE Championship’s imposition of new weight management policies, which discourages drastic weight cuts and instead allows fighters to compete at their natural “walking weights”. Banario credits the move up for his most recent success.
“Ever since I moved up to lightweight, I feel so much stronger. This is my natural fighting weight, I am a lightweight fighter,” said Banario. “I just feel reinvigorated. My punches and kicks are powerful, my body is sturdy, my mind is strong.”
Banario is a victor of his two most recent bouts, comprehensive decision victories over highly-regarded opponents Vaughn Donayre and Eddie Ng. The performances have showcased Banario’s improved grappling skills and overall well-roundedness.
It’s the best Banario has looked since he became a professional mixed martial artist six years ago.
“Manila, get ready for me! I cannot wait to perform once again in front of the Filipino people. It is always an honor. I would like to say thank you for all the support,” said Banario. “I cannot wait to show how much I have improved as a fighter in the last few months.”
ONE: AGE OF DOMINATION is set to light the Mall of Asia Arena stage ablaze with exciting, world-class MMA bouts. The card is headlined by Brandon “The Truth” Vera who defends his ONE Heavyweight World Championship belt against Japanese MMA legend Hideki Sekine.
By: ARMANDO BOLISLIS
