Lakays make weight, all set for ‘Pride of a Nation’

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WITH their toughest mix martial arts fight yet, the trio of Team Lakay’s Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon and Honorio Banario are all set for battle in the One Fighting Championship event Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The three made their weight during Thursday’s weigh-in at the Big Dome, venue of the fight night for Asia’s biggest mix martial arts promotion dubbed “Pride of a Nation.”

But Folayang and Banario have to shed off some pounds in their official weigh-in although Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao sees no problem for both fighters during fight night.

“I think there will be no problem because they have already rehydrated and will get a full rest,” said Sangiao in a text message.

Belingon, the URCC flyweight king, collides with Rising On titlist Soo Chul Kim of Korean, while lightweight champion Banario will also test his mettle against fellow Filipino Andre Benibe.

“Honorio’s game plan is to aim for the knock-out while for Kevin, they have the same style of fighting with Kim, but we’ll try to use Kevin’s speed against the Korean,” said Sangiao where they hold their last week of hard training then cool down next week before fight night.

Although things turned bleak the last time out for the Team Lakay after suffering setbacks, Sangiao said the three mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters are motivated to get back their winning ways, especially with Folayang.

“I’ll try to dictate the phase of the fight and from then on whatever he throws at me, I’ll be prepared,” said Folayang, who will be facing CFC champion Swiss–Jap Felipe Enomoto.

The entourage of Team Lakay left Baguio Monday afternoon following of more than three weeks of high altitude training in the Summer Capital despite the continuous heavy rains brought about by typhoons that frequented the city.

Eric Kelly, a Baguio raised fighter now based in Malaysia, also sees action against American UFC veteran Jens Pulver in a featherweight showdown.

Two former UFC Heavyweight Champions will meet for the fourth time in a grudge match that has escalated over the years.

Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia will clash in Manila after a series of fights that saw Sylvia lose the first bout, and subsequently win back-to-back fights against the tough Belarusian. Sylvia is currently in the midst of a three-fight winning streak and has won seven of his last eight bouts.

The entire card, which is headlined by DREAM Bantamweight Champion Bibiano Fernandes and CFC Australia Bantamweight Champion Gustavo Falciroli, will be available live on Pay-Per-View.