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Philippine martial arts pioneer Mark Sangiao is not just the head coach and founder of the famous Baguio City Lakay Team. He is also the spiritual leader of the team, a father figure to many of its younger members, and a guide through the often complicated world of mixed martial arts.
Known as one of the most prolific martial arts ensembles in Asia, Team Lakay is home to many great athletes and world champions, many of whom trust Sangiao with their lives. So it’s no surprise that Sangiao has a pretty good idea of what might be next for some of his most treasured students.
The 41-year-old veteran recently shared his thoughts on potential matchups for his ONE Championship neighborhoods.
Eduard “Landslide” Folayang
Former ONE lightweight world champion Eduard Folayang is a man on the way back. After a dismal 2019, in which he lost two out of three, the 36-year-old veteran is on the hunt for gold.
Reigning ONE lightweight world champion Christian Lee, 22, is the most wanted man in the division. Sangiao likes Folayang’s odds against the young champion, in case they meet in the Circle.
“The lightweight division is one of the deepest in A Championship. There are so many great talents, and anyone can beat anyone on any given day. But Eduard Folayang is the best of the best. He’s the former champion and he’s so hungry. that belt. I’ve never seen him work harder in his career than now, “Sangiao said.
“There are a lot of great lightweight matches for Eduard, but the man he loves the most is Christian Lee. Eduard is seeking redemption and is training very hard to achieve his goals.”
Where Folayang is right now in the lightweight pecking order is debatable. He is currently outside of the top five on ONE’s official athlete rankings. Folayang may need a win over a big-name opponent to position himself for a shot at “The Warrior.”
Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon
Another world champion in the quest for redemption is former ONE bantamweight world champion Kevin Belingon. Belingon is a fierce beast in the Circle, favored to decimate any man unlucky enough to get trapped there with him.
The reigning bantamweight king Bibiano Fernandes, however, remains the only man capable of taming “El Silenciador.” The 40-year-old “Flash” owns two legitimate submission wins over Belingon and a questionable disqualification. On the other hand, Belingon has a wide victory over the legend.
Sangiao believes that as long as the two are in the same division, Belingon’s threat to Fernandes’ title reign will always be present.
“Kevin and Bibiano have unfinished business. I wasn’t convinced about the last fight they fought. Knowing Kevin, it’s not easy to submit. There were some mistakes we made that cost us the fight. But I know we can correct those mistakes,” he said Sangiao.
“As long as Bibiano remains the bantamweight champion, Kevin will always be a threat. He is going to beat any man who gets in front of him, and he will always be on top as the number one contender. Kevin Belingon will not walk away, and Sooner or later Bibiano will have to face him again. So I think a fifth fight could happen. “
Belingon is currently ranked No. 1 in bantamweight in ONE’s official rankings, so the idea of a fifth showdown between the two is not too far-fetched. However, Belingon may have to defeat another top contender before earning another shot at Fernandes.
Joshua “The Passion” Pacio
Reigning strawweight world champion Joshua Pacio knows that being a champion means everyone will come for you. In one of the richest weight classes in the ONE Championship in terms of talent, Pacio has established himself as a legitimate and dominant champion.
But there are two men that Sangiao thinks Pacio should get a revenge: former strawweight champions Yosuke Saruta and Yoshitaka Naito.
Like Eduard, Joshua is in one of the deepest divisions in A Championship. The strawweight is packed with world-class fighters from top to bottom. The competition is very close. But Joshua is so good, he really can be With the best of Him he is on top now, and this young man is working very hard to keep his place, “said Sangiao.
“I think he needs to complete trilogies with Yosuke Saruta and Yoshitaka Naito. A lot of people weren’t convinced of his victories over either of them, so I think rematches would work well in favor of Joshua closing the book on these adversaries. Joshua just keeps getting better. day by day. I’m really amazed at his development and he’s still very young. “
Saruta and Naito are scheduled to meet in September at the Tokyo “Road to ONE: 3rd TOKYO FIGHT NIGHT” event hosted by Abema TV in association with ONE. Saruta has expressed his intention to face Pacio if he can get past Naito. Your opponent should be thinking the same.
Danny “The King” Kingad
When Danny Kingad lost to reigning flyweight world champion Adriano Moraes in 2017, he put “The King” on a learning path. After all, he suffered the first loss of his professional career, in his first shot at the title, and it’s an experience Kingad says he will stay with as long as he competes.
Sangiao believes that Kingad learned more from that loss than from any of his victories. As a result, the Filipino star is developing at an exponential rate and Sangiao is simply amazed at what he sees.
“If Adriano Moraes will remain champion after his fight with Demetrious Johnson, that remains to be seen. But whether Moraes is champion or not, Danny is ready to fight him,” Sangiao said.
“Danny has improved a lot in just three years. He has worked very hard in all facets of his game. There is nothing stopping this young man from achieving his goals. Fans will be amazed at how good Danny is now compared to just a few months ago. He has used this free time wisely to refocus and rededicate himself to proving that he is one of the best in the world in his weight class. “
Moraes is expected to defend his title next against ONE Flyweight Grand Prix world champion and 12-time former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson. Sangiao is confident that Kingad would destroy Moraes now, regardless of whether the Brazilian is still champion after the Johnson fight.
“I think Danny learned a lot from the first fight with Adriano, and now he is a completely different fighter. He has much more experience. I know that Danny will beat Adriano the next time they meet in the Circle,” concluded Sangiao.
