Another Team Lakay original has left the stable on Saturday.
Another pillar in Honorio Banario has left Mark Sangiao’s camp, joining fellow founders Eduard Folayang and Kevin Belingon.
Banario, 33, has yet to get a fight booked, having his last bout back in February 2020 0150 a split decision win against Shannon Wiratchai.
“The first-ever homegrown Filipino to ever win a World Championship in mixed martial arts is raring to get back to action to prove to everyone that I still have a good amount of fight in me. Seeing all the fighting events slowly get back up, even the different forms of combat sports, it got me excited all over again as if it was the first time I will ever step inside the Circle of ONE Championship,” said the former ONE Featherweight world champion.
“I can’t wait to begin my new chapter this 2023, with the future looking bright and still full of opportunities for a proud warrior rooted here in the highlands of the Philippines. Unfortunately, with the start of my new chapter in the world of combat sports, I will no longer be a part of Team Lakay.”
Unlike Folayang and Belingon, Banario joined Team Lakay three years after its founding in 2010.
After winning his first six fights in URCC, he, along with the rest of Team Lakay, joined ONE.
He was able to win the world title in February 2013 over compatriot Eric Kelly.
Since then, he has been with ONE.
Currently, Banario is 15-10 in his career. And now, he looks forward to continuing training with his good pals, hoping to get a chance at the big stage once more.
“I am more than thankful for every member of Team Lakay whom I trained with every day, especially our coach, Mark Sangiao, who took me under his wing as one of his proteges in the early days, when the mixed martial arts community was still in its baby steps. Team Lakay more than gave me my life. It was everything. The trademark red shorts that we all love to compete in, that we all proudly fought for inside the Circle, will always be one of the best experiences I have in this lifetime,” he expressed.
“The path I am about to take is uncertain. But I know in my heart that it will pay off since I will be bringing the pride, the joy, and the training imbibed in me by Team Lakay wherever I go. I’m excited for the opportunities that have opened up.”
