Moments after winning the ONE Flyweight World Championship last June, Geje Eustaquio (11-6) has already made plans for his next move. Believing that 2018 is his year, he opened all doors to every possible contender out there.
The 29-year-old fighter out of Baguio City either wants to complete his trilogy with former champion Adriano Moraes or challenge for another world title – may it be against strawweight champion Yoshitaka Naito, bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes, or Muay Thai flyweight champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao.
But if there’s one fighter who believes that he deserves a title shot, it’s Filipino-Australian Reece McLaren. And who could doubt him?
Ever since he dropped down to flyweight, the 26-year-old – whose biological father is Filipino – has been unstoppable in the division. He choked out Anatpong Bunrad and Gianni Subba last November and March respectively, before taking a split decision win over grizzled veteran Tatsumitsu Wada last July.
With those victories, McLaren believes that he has already proven that he is one of the top flyweights in ONE Championship.
“I believe to get a shot at a championship bout you must be able to beat who ever you get matched with any where any time,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
“Stopping your opponent is the biggest and best way to secure that chance and opportunity.”
However, styles make fights. McLaren, who is an excellent grappler, believes that his style perfectly matches Eustaquio’s. He knows that a match-up between him and the reigning champion will create fireworks.
“I want that opportunity more than I can breath,” he declared.
“I think we match up well and it will be a instant classic.”
