Former ONE flyweight world champion Geje Eustaquio treats his teammates like his own brothers, which is why he has no qualms about stepping aside for team mate Danny Kingad in a race for the world title.
“My wish is for Danny to take the title this year. He has a good chance of earning another shot at the belt. The kid is seriously talented and very strong,” Eustaquio said.
Kingad is currently ranked second in the official athlete rankings in the flyweight division for mixed martial arts, sitting just beneath former UFC flyweight world champion Demetrious Johnson and reigning division champion Adriano Moraes.
Kingad is a winner of seven of his last eight contests, with a lone defeat to Johnson himself.
He previously challenged Moraes in 2017 in his first shot at the world title. Since then, Kingad has improved by leaps and bounds, and Eustaquio believes he will do much better in rematches against either Johnson or Moraes.
“He’s consistently growing. He’s not the same fighter who fought Adriano and DJ the first time. Danny is a difficult matchup for anyone at this point,” Eustaquio added.
Team Lakay is looking to put together a massive 2021, following a year marred with disappointment.
The team spent the holiday time each with their families and close relatives to reenergize and refocus their efforts, in preparation for the next 12 months, before reconvening in Baguio and Benguet to support a teammate whose mother recently passed away.
Eustaquio said most of Team Lakay members have already started their training and are back in the gym to resume the hard work they are known for.
“Everybody on the team is excited and very motivated to win. Spirits are very high and we’re all ready to get the year started. Most of us already started our preparations and are back in the gym training,” said Eustaquio.
Eustaquio, on the other hand, believes he has one more good title run in him and is putting in the time and effort to make that dream a reality. – Harley F. Palangchao
April 25, 2024
