When fifth-ranked Filipino-Australian flyweight Reece “Lightning” McLaren and Aleksi “The Giant” Toivonen clash at ONE: REIGN OF DYNASTIES this Friday, October 9, in Singapore, two Team Lakay stars will watch closely.
Former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio and his teammate, Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang, will both keep a close eye on the match.
Eustaquio’s interested because he’s in the same division, and like McLaren and Toivonen, his goal is to make it to the top of the heap.
When asked about the upcoming battle, “Gravity” expects 29-year-old McLaren to come in a little more comfortable against Toivonen, who will be competing for just the second time in ONE Championship.
“I think McLaren is more experienced when it comes to this competition, but it’s still MMA so we can’t really predict it,” Eustaquio said.
The key for Toivonen, according to Eustaquio, will be for the Finn to force a striking exchange since “Gravity” believes that McLaren is the better grappler.
“If Aleksi can keep the fight standing up and maintain his distance from McLaren, he will win this. If not, then Reece will probably take the fight to the ground and win via submission,” Eustaquio added.
Adiwang, the fifth-ranked strawweight, has kept an eye on the flyweight division as well since jumping onto the main roster last year.
For the 27-year-old, whoever strikes first, whether on the feet or the ground, will have the advantage.
“I can’t wait to watch this fight. Both fighters are good on the ground, so whoever has the better striking will win the fight,” Adiwang said.
“Maybe one can also get an early submission when they are both not sweaty and slippery yet.”
But at the end of the day, Adiwang believes McLaren’s experience will give him the advantage on Friday night.
“I’ll have to give the edge to McLaren in this bout,” Adiwang said. “I’m giving it to him due to his experience. I see him controlling the fight and winning via unanimous decision.”
Catch ONE: REIGN OF DYNASTIES this Friday, October 9. Watch the show on One Sports, One Sports+, or the ONE Super App at 8:30 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT).
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Also, TV5 will air the event on a next-day delay at 11 p.m. PHT on Saturday, October 10.