Gina “Conviction” Iniong knows what the key to success will be for her Team Lakay stablemates in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday, 31 March.
ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon, and flyweight contender Danny “The King” Kingad will all be in action at ONE: A NEW ERA, and their Filipina teammate will be watching closely.
For Iniong, the momentum of each athlete heading into this contest will be the key, as all three warriors are coming off rousing victories in their previous matches.
“Confidence will be a huge factor because they’ve been winning in their last few fights. If you put that confidence together with determination, hard work, and a sound game plan, then things are looking good for them,” she shared.
“They have the determination and the drive to prove that they deserve to be called champions. They studied their opponents in detail, and they never stop training to improve."
Folayang will be up against Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki in a rematch for the ONE Lightweight World Title, while Belingon will be wrapping up his trilogy against Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes for the ONE Bantamweight World Championship.
Kingad, on the other hand, will open his campaign in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix against Pancrase Flyweight World Champion Senzo Ikeda on the prelims.
Aside from their momentum, Iniong believes their support system will help each member perform to their maximum potential.
“I think the support alone from the team and coach Mark [Sangiao] would be enough to make a difference,” she said.
“The preparation is intense, and you’ll really feel the support of their teammates. That’s the type of environment that we have in Team Lakay — very positive and supportive. It’s like one big family who never stops helping each other.”
With all that in mind, “Conviction” has no doubts her team will get the clean sweep at the Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sunday night.
“They’re much more motivated considering the magnitude of this event. They’ve done everything to improve,” Iniong said.
“I predict a dominant win for the three. I’m expecting a knockout, but if that doesn’t come, a very convincing decision win will do.”