Jhanlo “The Machine” Sangiao started his ONE Championship journey on a high note, and as the son of famed Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao, he is part of Filipino mixed martial arts royalty.
Last December, he won his debut against Paul Lumihi at ONE: Winter Warriors II via first-round submission, and he attributed that victory to his fabled stable.
“My teammates, coaches, and dad helped me prepare for that match. They motivated me as well. Most importantly, it was my debut fight, and I needed to make an impression and live up to the hype,” Sangiao said.
Three months later, although he did not compete at ONE X, he did get first-hand experience of the promotion’s 10thanniversary show when he cornered a few of the Team Lakay warriors who competed that night.
“ONE X was a monumental event, the biggest I have experienced. I also met prominent athletes who were all hungry to bring the victory home,” the 19-year-old phenom said.
It may not be long until his dream happens. But until it arrives, he is working hard to improve his grappling skills. In fact, he wants to show those skills in his next outing, which hasn’t been confirmed yet.
“It is up to ONE on who they pick for me to face. As for me, anybody is fine. I will prepare for them and do my job,” he said.
But if that person happens to be his teammate in Stephen Loman, don’t expect the two to tangle anytime soon. He believes that Loman should face ONE bantamweight world champion John Lineker next.
“The chance of me facing a fellow Filipino is not impossible. I have countrymen in my division, but this is different when we talk about fighters from my team,” Sangiao said.
“My teammates in Team Lakay are my brothers. I don’t think I would be willing to face them inside the cage,” he said. – ONE press release
