WHEN Jeremy Pacatiw steps inside Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium on Saturday, March 8, for ONE Fight Night 29, he won’t just be fighting for himself — he’ll be fighting for an entire nation.
The Filipino bantamweight standout has taken it upon himself to enact an ‘Avenger’s Initiative’ of sorts, tasked with putting an end to Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu’s reign of terror over Filipino mixed martial artists.
Baatarkhuu has earned the reputation of being public enemy No. 1. His resume speaks for itself: Adonis Sevilleno, Rockie Bactol, Jhanlo Sangiao, and Carlo Bumina-ang — four promising Filipino fighters who all fell victim to the Mongolian’s ruthless style.
His throttling pressure, burdensome striking, and ferocious ground game have made him a nightmare matchup for anyone, and he has shown time and again that he can withstand punishment, while dealing out far more than his opponents can handle.
Pacatiw, however, has a chance to stop the bleeding. He carries the responsibility of restoring pride to Philippine MMA as a whole. Yet, as daunting as the task may seem, many overlook the fact that Pacatiw is not Sevilleno, Bactol, Sangiao, or Bumina-ang. He is a different kind of beast.
While some may doubt his chances against Baatarkhuu, a closer look at Pacatiw’s skillset reveals that he has all the necessary tools to pull off an upset. It’s safe to argue that he’s not a one-trick pony.
Unlike some of Baatarkhuu’s previous victims, “The Juggernaut” is a well-rounded competitor, capable of adjusting to the demands of a fight, whether on the feet or on the ground. His striking is crisp, his grappling is solid, and his ability to mix it up in the heat of battle makes him an unpredictable threat.
The key for the Lions Nation MMA member is not to fold under Baatarkhuu’s relentless advances. Many of the Mongolian’s past foes have struggled to weather his forward aggression, eventually crumbling under his suffocating offense.
However, Pacatiw has the movement, the composure, and the versatility to turn this into a technical chess match rather than an all-out war on Baatarkhuu’s terms.
This bout is more than just another fight on the card — it’s a golden opportunity for Pacatiw to solidify his stature as an elite bantamweight. Baatarkhuu currently holds the No. 4 ranking in the division, making this the perfect moment for the 28-year-old native of Kapangan, Benguet to catapult himself into the title conversation.
For years, he has been considered an “almost but not quite” case — always on the brink of something great but never quite crossing the threshold. That narrative could change this weekend.
If Pacatiw manages to put a dent in Baatarkhuu’s armor, he will leave no doubt that he belongs among the best in his weight class. This is his moment to turn the tables and make everyone take notice of his potential as a future world champion.
Should he succeed, Pacatiw won’t just be avenging his fallen countrymen — he’ll be forging his own path toward MMA greatness.
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