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Friday, March 29, 2024

3 Filipino MMA fighters who ONE championship could sign

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ONE Championship has done a fine job unearthing new Filipino mixed martial arts stars over the past few years. 

Since 2020, the promotion has unearthed several gems, starting with #1-ranked atomweight contender Denice “Lycan Queen” Zamboanga and her brother Drex “T-Rex” Zamboanga. 

Aside from the Zamboangas, however, the ever-growing Team Lakay squad has also continued to provide excellent talent to the promotion.  

Athletes like Jenelyn Olsim and Jeremy “The Juggernaut” Pacatiw had successful debuts while they await the likes of Stephen “The Sniper” Loman and Jhanlo Sangiao to start strutting their wares in the promotion as well.  

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Still, there are a lot of Filipino mixed martial artists that are waiting to be discovered, and here are some of the biggest names that the promotion could sign.  

1. Wallen del Rosario (10-3)  

Wallen del Rosario might be the most under-the-radar Filipino mixed martial artist right now.  

"BBoy” trains under renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo black belt John Baylon, and he’s certainly one of the most complete mixed martial artists in the country.  

He’s also well-travelled, having competed all over the Philippines from Baguio City to the Bicol Region, while also making a name for himself in China, where he’s now a staple in the flyweight division.  

Should he get signed by ONE, he’ll come into The Home Of Martial Arts winning nine of his last ten bouts with more than half of his wins coming from finishes.  

2. Jomar James Pa-ac (6-2)  

Team Lakay has produced the majority of the Filipino talent in ONE Championship, but there are still a lot of fighters in their stable that are still waiting for their break in The Home Of Martial Arts.  

You can write Jomar James Pa-ac's name on that list.  

He is one of the new generation of Team Lakay fighters, particularly because of his fondness for the ground game instead of just wushu. He has proveen he can win with different submissions and with his ground and pound.  

Pa-ac is currently enrolled in law school in addtition to training and competing, making him even more impressive.  

3. Harold Banario (5-2)  

Speaking of familial ties, Harold Banario could come in and form the third sibling tandem from the Philippines after the Zamboangas and the Kellys. 

But he’s proven that he’s more than just the brother of inaugural ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario. 

“The Artist”, as he’s known in the Philippines, has shown his comfort on the ground – evident by a couple of knee- and armbar wins. 

That, alongside the old school Team Lakay approach on the feet, makes him a dangerous customer to whoever he faces if he were signed. 

ONE returns to action with the previously recorded ONE: BATTLEGROUND II, where Eduard “Landslide” Folayang takes on Zhang “The Warrior” Lipeng in the main event.  

ONE Sports and ONE Sports+ will cut to the broadcast at 9 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT) on Friday, August 13. Download the ONE Super App for more info.   

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