ONE FC: Eustaquio beats Watanabe to set-up Moraes flyweight title clash

Nissi Icasiano

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

ONE FC: Eustaquio beats Watanabe to set-up Moraes flyweight title clash
Geje Eustaquio wins a unanimous decision over Japan's Kentaro Watanabe to earn a crack at the inaugural ONE FC against Adriano Moraes

Geje Eustaquio made his case for a ONE Fighting Championship (ONE FC) flyweight title shot with resounding clarity as he outpointed Japanese combatant Kentaro Watanabe via unanimous decision at ONE FC: Era of Champions at the Mata Elang International Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia on Saturday, June 14.

Under duress from an aggressive and confident adversary, the 5-foot-5 Team Lakay representative turned to his tactical gameplan to pacify Watanabe, who made a name for himself in the Shooto organization with his lightning-quick striking style that recognized him as an exciting competitor among mixed martial arts (MMA) hooligans in Japan.

The composed Eustaquio of Baguio City, Philippines was more technical with his strikes in the opening salvo, hitting Watanabe with solid left hooks and right crosses while backpedalling to avoid the tenacious surge from his cage counterpart.

“Gravity” stepped on the gas pedal in the second round, standing toe-to-toe with Watanabe to land a couple of shattering body kicks and silenced his pesky foe with a looping right hand.

The tussle was momentarily stopped in the same round due to an accidental low blow by Eustaquio courtesy of a missed inside leg kick.

As the fight resumed, Eustaquio intelligently engaged against a desperate Watanabe by scoring with quick left jabs and then snapping a counter right.

In the third and final round, Watanabe switched his stance from orthodox to southpaw to confuse Eustaquio, but it did not prevent the latter from connecting with his signature foot-strikes and set up his jabs.

Midway through the final canto, Eustaquio was able to rock Watanabe with a right hand counter to the temple as the Japanese lunged forward.

Sensing that he needed to conclude the bout on a high note, Watanabe attempted a double-leg takedown that was eventually stuffed by Eustaquio.

With his impressive win over Watanabe, Eustaquio improves his MMA record to 6-2 and earns a crack at the inaugural ONE FC flyweight championship against Adriano Moraes (11-1), the 25-year-old Brazilian who submitted Kosuke Suzuki with an arm-triangle choke at 1:25 of the third round in the main event.

In his post-fight interview, Eustaquio expressed that he wanted his title tilt to take place on ONE FC’s next Philippine fight card.

Aside from his confirmation that Eustaquio would receive a championship opportunity if he wins over Watanabe, ONE FC chief Victor Cui exclusively revealed to Rappler that the company will be staging its year-end event once again at the state-of-the-art SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on a date to be announced soon.

“I can’t wait as ONE FC is back in Manila for our year-end event this year. We have a multi-year agreement with MOA Arena, and we will close the year with a bang with arguably our biggest event to date in Manila,” Cui stated.

On the other hand, Watanabe heads back to the losing territory after redeeming himself in July of last year against Kiyotaka Shimizu and drops his standing to 10-5.

Aside from Eustaquio, two Filipino fighters suffered defeats on the undercard of ONE FC: Era of Champions.

Thai kickboxer Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke spoiled the professional MMA debut of former Pinoy boxer Joseph “Jomanz Omanz” Omana with a first-round technical knockout.

The 5-foot-6 Omana of Mandaue City, Philippines, who has a boxing record of 12-2-2 (6 KOs), received multiple soccer kicks and knees to the head that compelled referee Oliver Coste to halt the contest at 4:33 of the first frame.

Meanwhile, Malaysian flyweight prospect Gianni Subba overwhelmed Ruel Catalan with his grappling pedigree to put himself back on the winning track.

The 21-year-old standout of Phuket Top Team latched an arm-in triangle choke and then hammered away with punches and elbows, forcing his five-year older opponent to submit at the 2:43 mark of the second round.

At the expense of Catalan, Subba avenged his disappointing setback to Filipino tormentor Eugene Toquero this past May at ONE FC: Rise of Heroes and now stands with a 4-1 win-loss slate.

In other matches, Fransino Tirta made a successful ONE FC debut and extended his undefeated stripe with a first-round stoppage.

Aung La N Sang overwhelmed Egyptian middleweight Mahmoud Salam with heavy ground-and-pound punches, while featherweight prospect Ev Ting disposed Yohan Mulia Legowo with a pair of solid knees to his face in the opening salvo. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!