It’s over
Team Lakay’s Geje Eustaquio avenged his loss to rival Kairat Akhmetov, eking out a unanimous decision victory to cop the interim ONE Flyweight World Championship in the main event of Global Superheroes, Friday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
With the win, the 28-year-old Baguio native became the fourth Filipino in ONE Championship to win a world title. Brandon Vera is currently the Heavyweight Champion, while Eduard Folayang and Honorio Banario were former Lightweight and Featherweight champions respectively.
“This belt is not mine but it’s ours! It’s ours!,” said Eustaquio, who was given the belt by living legend Renzo Gracie. “My family was always there for me. The Team Lakay family never doubted me. I’m proud to represent this flag and this country all over the world. This champion comes from the third world country called the Philippines. This is ours guys!”
The two came off a match last September 16, 2017 that saw Eustaquio lose to Akhmetov by way of split decision.
Eustaquio showed significant improvements in his game to deliver a masterful performance full of confidence and composure against a man who had previously lost just once in his decorated martial arts career.
Akhmetov started the bout looking to close the distance and use his wrestling against the seasoned wushu striker. But the Filipino showed significantly better takedown defense, repeatedly fending off the former world champion, and even locking up a kneebar submission from his back after eventually being taken to the mat late in the round.
It was a sign that Eustaquio has become a much more well-rounded and confident martial artist, and it proved to be the difference throughout the entire contest.
Eustaquio took control of the cage, dictating the distance and looking comfortable with his striking. The Baguio City native landed leg kicks and front kicks from range, and stepped in with the occasional punch. Akhmetov’s inability to use his wrestling to dominate was proving problematic for him.
Even when he did score with a takedown, Eustaquio reversed the position quickly, showing huge improvements in his ability to deal with “The Kazakh” on the ground. Confidence was coursing through the veins of “Gravity,” who clearly extended his lead in the second round.
The action resumed in the third stanza, with the Team Lakay veteran settling into his relaxed rhythm once more. By this point in the contest, Akhmetov’s striking attack was reduced to single shots, most of which Eustaquio smoothly evaded, as the former world champion started to look increasingly frustrated.
That frustration only grew when the Filipino challenger expertly avoided yet another takedown attempt. Even a late standing guillotine choke attempt proved unsuccessful, as Eustaquio, roared on by the home crowd, easily survived to the end of the round.
The Filipino’s takedown defense and control of range were both on display once again in the fourth, as he continued to frustrate “The Kazakh” by reversing clinches against the cage, evading Akhmetov’s power strikes, and countering effectively.
Despite never having competed past 15 minutes in his ONE career, it was “Gravity” who looked the fresher of the two in the championship rounds. He ripped heavy kicks to Akhmetov’s legs and body, slowed the forward pressure of the former world champion, and even attempted a guillotine choke of his own as the round ended.
Eustaquio’s confidence was soaring in the final frame, as he confidently evaded the advances of an increasingly desperate Akhmetov, who had been made to swing and miss for much of the bout. A late takedown from the Kazakhstani gave him a glimmer of a chance to score a last-gasp finish, but the Team Lakay standout survived the flurry of ground and pound as the bout went all the way to the judges’ scorecards.
When the judges rendered their verdict, they were unanimous in their assessment: a euphoric Eustaquio was awarded a hard-earned unanimous decision win, and the ONE Interim Flyweight World Title.
Eustaquio raised his record to 10-6, while Akhmetov lost for only the second time in 25 fights.
The win automatically sets the Filipino up for a showdown with Adriano Moraes down the line to unify the belts.
“Hey Adriano, I know you are there. Hey, I got the belt! Give me one more try Adriano. I hope to give you a better fight than 2014,” Eustaquio told Moraes, who was sitting in the crowd. Moraes had defeated Eustaquio with a choke during ONE: Rise of the Kingdom.
ONE: Global Superheroes result
January 26, 2018 – SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City
- Interim ONE Flyweight World Championship: Geje Eustaquio def. Kairat Akhmetov via unanimous decision to win the crown
