Honorio Banario took home an emphatic win to continue his road to redemption while young gun Geje Eustaquio’s got the best of him in the main card of ONE Championship: Age of Domination, Friday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Eustaquio’s confidence gets the best of him, submits to Tauro
Toni Tauro (11-4-1) was determined to snap out of his three-fight funk, stunning Team Lakay standout Geje “The Gravity” Eustaquio (8-5) with a rear naked choke in the opening round.
A confident Eustaquio had his guard down to open the fight and was able to reverse an early takedown attempt by his Finnish opponent. Tauro, who was a former ONE Bantamweight World Championship challenger, was able to get the Baguio-native’s back. But even with the crowd cheering him on, Eustaquio eventually fell prey to a rear naked choke with a minute left in the round.
Banario ends 2016 campaign with a bang
Honorio “The Rock” Banario’s (11-6) road to redemption continues, submitting Rajinder Singh “Knockout” Meena (8-3) to end his 2016 campaign winning three in a row.
“First of all, I’d like to thank the Filipino crowd. Para sa inyo yung panalo na ito,” he said.
The Rock eventually went for the shoot, making a successful take down right at the opening moments of the bout. The former ONE World Champion eventually trapped the Indians left arm, attempting a kimura but was quickly escaped by Meena.
But just as they went up, the Filipino pushed Meena right back down, gaining side control and, later on, a crucifix. The 27-year-old peppered his opponent’s face with short elbow. He was able to trap Meena’s left arm once more, securing a tight armbar for the tapout.
“My opponent is strong but the option was there and I was able to get the submission,” the Team Lakay standout reflected.
Ataides shows muscle, puts “Flex” to sleep
In a battle of two middleweight contenders, Leandro Ataides (8-4) emphatically put an end to his three-fight losing streak, after scoring a highlight knockout of Mohamed “Flex” Ali (10-11).
Ataides rocked Ali with a clean knee with 3:30 left in the second stanza that dizzied Ali but the Brazilian was not able to take advantage of it. A clean straight by Ataides rattled the Egyptian later on but Ataides remained patient as he slowly breaking down Ali. A highlight-reel flying knee by the Nova Uniao fighter with six seconds remaining put Ali to sleep.
Kelly finishes Sunoto to make it three in a row
Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly (8-3) showed his patience, meticuously dismantling “The Terminator” Sunoto (5-2).
Kelly was able to get the quick takedown to open the bout but Sunoto remained active on the ground, eventually gaining the back of the Team Lakay fighter. The Ferocious though turned patient, reversing the attempt to go into Sunoto’s guard. As the Indonesian tried to escape, the 32-year-old was able to snatch Sunoto’s neck for a guillotine attempt but was not able to tighten it as time expired.
Sunoto was able to trip Kelly and gain side control midway through the second stanza. Kelly though persevered, reversing to gain control. With a minute and 24 seconds remaining, the Filipino went for a choke attempt from side control eventally gaining the back with a minute to go. As Sunoto escaped, Kelly landed a solid upkick that momentarily stunned the Indonesian but the latter was able to escape the round unscathed.
Kelly landed a clean knee to the chin of Sunoto with 3:30 left in the fight. The Team Lakay standout immediately pounced on his prey, peppering him with powerful yet quick shots. That eventually led to the stoppage.
ONE Championship: Age of Domination main card results
December 2, 2016 – SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City
Bantamweight bout: Toni Tauro def. Geje Eustaquio via submission-rear naked choke (Rd 1: 3:56)
Lightweight bout: Honorio Banario def. Rajinder Meena via submission-armbar (Rd1: 4:04)
Middleweight bout: Leandro Ataides def. Mohamed Ali via KO-flying knee (R2: 4:54)
Featherweight bout: Edward Kelly def. Sunoto via referee’s stoppage-ground and pound (R3: 2:24)
