By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
TOKYO — On Sunday ONE Championship celebrated a landmark event in its history as it staged its 100th live event since being established with a never-been-done-before offering of two shows in one day, dubbed ONE: Century, here.
It was the organization’s way, officials said, of celebrating ONE Championship’s gains on various fronts since 2011 when it opened shop while setting up the direction it is heading to moving forward.
Practically part of the organization from the start, Team Lakay stalwarts Honorio “The Rock” Banario and Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon said they are very happy with the growth of ONE Championship even as they give credit to the promotion in helping them grow as a team and as individual athletes.
“From when ONE started to now, a lot has changed. I mean, ONE Championship is very much well known today and is still continuing to grow. We were with ONE since the start and it’s the 100th show of the promotion and we’re proud of that,” shared Mr. Banario, 30, in Filipino, to Philippine sportswriters during media day for Century on Friday.
Mr. Banario (14-9) is the company’s former world featherweight champion and was set to meet Japanese legend Shinya Aoki in a flyweight battle in part two of the two-pronged event later yesterday.
Mr. Belingon (20-6) shared his teammate’s views, adding that for ONE Championship to achieve such a milestone speaks volume of how it goes about its affairs.
“When it started it was still ONE Fighting Championship and we were already there. In 2012 we signed a contract with them and it has kept growing. It’s a testament to the organization and how they do things and it is not at all a surprise that now they are at their 100th show,” said Mr. Belingon, 31, whose fourth clash with Brazilian rival Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes for the world bantamweight title was a featured co-main event in part two of ONE: Century.
The two veteran Filipino mixed martial arts fighters also shared that being part of ONE Championship has helped Team Lakay evolve as an organization as well.
“ONE opened an opportunity for us to compete abroad. Before we were just fighting and conquering events back home. Through ONE Championship we made a name for ourselves not only in the Philippines. And it kept us growing as individuals and as a team. I would say we are stronger as an organization since being part of ONE Championship,” said Mr. Belingon, who first fought in the organization in 2012.
“Before ONE Championship our gym was small and our equipment was not topnotch but with the success we have had in the promotion we were able to upgrade our facility and we have a bigger and brand-new gym,” said Mr. Banario.
“And in the process we have improved a lot as a team, skills-wise, and we have more fighters now who are both fighting locally and abroad,” added the former featherweight champion.
Apart from Messrs. Banario and Belingon, other Team Lakay athletes parading their wares in ONE Championship are former champions Eduard “Landslide” Folayang and Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, reigning world strawweight champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, Danny “The King” Kingad, Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly, Gina “Conviction” Iniong and April Osenio.
Strawweight Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang is the latest Team Lakay member in ONE Championship and was set to make his debut yesterday in part one of Century against Japanese Shinzo Ikeda.
