Geje Eustaquio, ex-champ Kairat Akhmetov dispute ONE interim flyweight title
WORLD-CLASS mixed martial arts action is once again spotlighted as ONE Championship holds “Global Superheroes” today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Featuring the fight for the ONE interim flyweight title between Filipino Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio and former champion Kairat “The Kazakh” Akhmetov, the live event will be the first of what is scheduled to be a four-fight engagement in Manila for 2018 which organizers said was a continuation of their recognition of the tremendous growth of the MMA scene in the country.
The headlining event will be a rematch of the two fighters’ last fight in September last year where Mr. Akhmetov (21-1) defeated Mr. Eustaquio (9-6) by a narrow split decision.
“I am expecting another difficult bout. Kairat Akhmetov is tough and has a huge heart inside the cage. That is why I am preparing very well for this rematch. A victory over Kairat would land me a rematch against [reigning champion] Adriano Moraes. I believe I have what it takes to become the undisputed ONE Flyweight World Champion in the future,” said Mr. Eustaquio, who is fighting out of Team Lakay of Baguio City, during his faceoff with Mr. Akhmetov early this week at the City of Dreams Manila.
For Mr. Eustaquio, today’s fight being a five-rounder should well work to his advantage, saying it is something they have always work at with Team Lakay.
“The fight being longer should work to my advantage since it is something me and my team are accustomed to doing especially with the high altitude in Baguio,” said the Filipino contender even as he sought the support of local fans to rally behind him come fight night.
Despite fighting in enemy territory, Mr. Akhmetov remains undeterred and said he is bent on getting back on top.
“I am coming into this interim title matchup with the mentality that it will be me versus the world, and I am ready for it. In 2017, I had ups and downs. I do not want to look back. In 2018, I am looking forward to reaching my dream to battle Adriano Moraes for the third time. But of course, I have to beat Geje Eustaquio first to fulfill my dream,” said the Kazakh fighter also during the face-off.
Apart from Mr. Eustaquio, other Filipino fighters in Global Superheroes are featherweight Eric “The Natural” Kelly against Brazilian Rafael Nunes, strawweight Joshua “The Passion” Pacio versus China’s Lan Ming Qiang, and featherweight Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly against Meas Meu of Cambodia.
Doors to ONE: Global Superheroes open at 6 p.m. —