Three Filipino mixed martial arts fighters led by Jhanlo Mark Sangiao earned impressive victories in two fight events of ONE Championship at the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on weekend.
The 20-year-old Sangiao just needed 58 seconds to stop the 38-year-old Matias Farinelli of Argentina via kneebar in the first round of their catchweight bout in the undercard of ONE Fight Night 9.
Sangiao first went for a possible stand-up fight with Farinelli with a flying kick before he managed to bring the game to the mat. Moments later, the rising phenom from the famed Team Lakay executed a kneebar submission for his third straight win in the promotion.
With his impressive win, Sangiao received another $50,000 performance bonus from ONE top honcho Chatri Sit-yodtong, his second bonus in less than a year.
Fellow Filipino female fighter Denice Zamboanga also displayed her mastery of the stand-up trade against Julie Mezabarba of Brazil for a hard-earned unanimous decision victory.
The 26-year-old Zamboanga, who is currently ranked third in the atomweight division, has landed overhand rights to overwhelm her opponent in the stand-up exchange.
Zamboanga has also executed excellent takedown defense that somewhat frustrated the Brazilian from putting the fight on her favor.
The Filipino fighter improved her MMA record to 10 wins and two losses while the Brazilian suffered her third consecutive losses.
Earlier, Team Lakay’s Carlos Alvarez had his biggest win yet when he demolished Reza Abasi enroute to a second-round technical knockout win in his promotional debut.
The 24-year-old Alvarez displayed an improving ground game and grappling among Team Lakay fighters with his excellent takedowns and vicious ground-and-pound.
Referee Herb Dean came to Abasi’s rescue when he had seen enough following unanswered barrage of hammer fists from the Baguio City native fighter.
Alvarez, who is the brother-in-law of former ONE flyweight world champion Geje Eustaquio, improved his record to two wins and zero loss.
Meanwhile, ONE Warriors Series Philippines winner Adonis Sevilleno, who joined Team Lakay, was overpowered by Road to ONE: Mongalia winner Enkh Orgil, who won via unanimous decision in the catchweight contest.
While Sevilleno displayed excellent takedown defense all throughout the three five-minute rounds, the Mongolian has convinced the judges he was the more dominant and aggressive fighter. – Harley F. Palangchao
