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MANILA, Philippines – Filipino fighter Jimmy Yabo sees it as a privilege to be fighting side-by-side with Team Lakay stalwarts at ONE Championship’s “Heroes of the World” event in Macau, China on Saturday, August 13.
Yabo, who squares off with Chinese combatant Ma Jia Wen on the aforementioned card, relishes the opportunity to represent the Philippines alongside veterans Eduard Folayang and Honorio Banario as well as up-and-comer Joshua Pacio.
“I am very happy because all of us are representing the Philippines and not against each other. This is good. I hope all of us will win,” he told Rappler before he left Manila to travel to Macau.
The 35-year-old Cebuano is no stranger to fighting a Team Lakay fighter as he yielded to Edward Kelly via first-round submission in April 2015.
Yabo then fought with Kelly on the “Pride of Lions” card in November 2015, but both men yielded to their respective foreign opposition.
“It’s all part of the job. But now, it’s different because we get to represent the country. We are a team in Macau,” Yabo stated.
Yabo is aiming to re-enter the winner’s column at the expense of his Chinese foe after being thwarted by Singapore’s Benedict Ang this past May.
“I am prepared for this fight. Every fight is a challenge for me. But I welcome all challenges. Bring it on,” he said.
Meanwhile, Folayang is set to duke it out with Australian lightweight Adrian Pang in the co-headliner of ONE: Heroes of the World, which takes place at the Venetian Hotel’s Cotai Arena.
With Pang being touted as next in line for Shinya Aoki’s ONE Championship lightweight title after picking up triumphs over notable names such as Vincent Latoel and Peter Davis, Folayang believes that he could earn a date with the Japanese champion if he scores a convincing victory over the Aussie.
(READ: Team Lakay coach has high hopes for Folayang to win in Macau)
In his second outing as a lightweight, Banario crosses paths with division mainstay and Hong Kong native Eddie Ng.
With Ng coming off a long layoff and a two-fight losing skid, Banario expects that his opponent will do anything to claim his first victory since October 2013.
(READ: Banario ready to make big statement as lightweight, says Team Lakay coach)
Pacio, a 20-year-old prospect from Baguio City, locks horns with Thailand’s Kritsada Kongsrichai in a 3-round strawweight contest at ONE: Heroes of the World.
Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao spoke highly of Pacio and stressed that he could be the next big thing in the Philippine mixed martial arts scene. – Rappler.com
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