Team Lakay’s Jeremy Pacatiw clinched a unanimous decision victory against Chen Rui of China in his ONE Championship debut in Singapore on July 30.
The 25-year-old Pacatiw combined his offense techniques to land significant punches and kicks on his Chinese opponent in their bantamweight bout at ONE: Battleground.
Pacatiw also displayed the improving ground and grappling games of Team Lakay gym when he scored a takedown against Chen, who is one of the formidable fighters in the division being a ONE Jakarta Tournament champion.
Chen, also 25, found his rhythm late in the third, but Pacatiw defended well, as he convinced all three judges to score the bout in his favor.
The fighting pride of Kapangan, Benguet has improved his professional MMA record to 10 wins and four losses while Chen dropped to nine wins and three losses.
It was a back-to-back win for Pacatiw, who stopped former Brave Combat Federation title contender Felipe Efrain in December 2019.
Pacatiw’s performance showcased Team Lakay’s ability to groom the next wave of Filipino athletes as it looks to claim more ONE world title belts in the future.
It was in 2018 that Team Lakay had five world mixed martial arts champions – four under ONE Championship and one under Brave CF.
At present, Team Lakay has one reigning world champion in Joshua Pacio, ONE strawweight world champion.
Meanwhile, ONE: Battleground saw Thai phenom Prajanchai PK.Saenchai Muaythaigym upset the legendary Sam-A Gaiyanghadao to claim the ONE strawweight Muaythai world title in the main event.
In the co-main event, former two-division ONE world champion Aung La N Sang authored a spectacular first-round knockout of top middleweight contender Leandro Ataides. – Harley F. Palangchao
April 27, 2024
