HAVING SPAWN world mixed martial arts champions in various global organizations, Baguio-based Team Lakay has rendered itself, consciously or otherwise, as the de facto face of the local MMA scene.
While it is quick to say that such is not the case, still the significance of its standing in Philippine MMA is not lost to its members, who have expressed how proud they are to be part of the group.
Among those basking in being a Team Lakay athlete are flyweight Danny “The King” Kingad and lightweight Honorio “The Rock” Banario, who both acknowledge the role their team has played in molding them not only as martial artists but as individuals as well.
Incidentally, both Messrs. Kingad and Banario are to see action on Aug. 2 at ONE Championship’s “Dawn of Heroes” event here in Manila along with stable mates Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio and Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly.
Mr. Kingad, who is set to face Australian Reece “Lightning” McLaren in a ONE world flyweight grand prix semifinal match, shared how it has been “night and day” for him since joining Team Lakay.
“Being a member of Team Lakay has played a huge factor in my improvement, not only as an athlete but as a human being as well,” said Mr. Kingad, who holds a record of 10 wins and one loss.
“Prior to joining the team, I knew very little about martial arts apart from the basic kicks and punches. Under the guidance of my coach, I learned proper execution as well as other skills such as grappling, submission wrestling, fluid striking, and others,” he added.
He went on to say that he could not imagine where he would have ended up had he not joined the team.
“When I was young, I was in a very bad crowd and it had a negative impact on my life. Team Lakay helped me out of that dark place and taught me values like respect and honor, and I generally became a better person,” said Mr. Kingad, who is riding a five-fight winning streak after absorbing his first career defeat.
For Mr. Banario (14-8), Team Lakay has done wonders in his MMA career, crediting his coaches and teammates for where he is right now in the game.
“Coach Mark always plans our daily training menu with our efficiency and safety in mind,” Mr. Banario said, referring to Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao, who has been looking after their growth and welfare since the start.
And the kind of training regimen they are having is significant, said Mr. Banario, more so since the ONE Grand Prix has been hit with high-profile injuries and pullouts.
Mr. Banario was supposed to face Russian Timofey Nastyukhin in the semifinals but was eventually left off it after the latter pulled out because of injury.
Instead, Mr. Banario will face Korean Dae Sung Park in a lightweight clash in the preliminary fights.
Nonetheless, Mr. Banario, the former ONE featherweight champion, said his mindset is still the same and is out to book a win.
“This is the perfect opportunity for me to win. It is unfortunate that great athletes are getting injured and even though I’m out of the tournament, I will be doing my best to win on behalf of them as well as all the fans who are supporting us in my upcoming match,” he said.
Both Messrs. Kingad and Banario said they are excited to take the fight stage with their other Team Lakay mates and see it working to their advantage.
ONE: Dawn of Heroes is to be headlined by the world featherweight championship fight between Vietnamese-Australian champion Martin Nguyen and Japanese challenger Koyomi Matsushima.
Co-headlining it is the flyweight muay thai world championship fight of champion Jonathan Haggerty of England against Rodtang Jitmuangnon of Thailand. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
