Honorio Banario wants another crack at Lowen Tynanes

Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario expects big things when Lowen Tynanes returns to the ONE Championship Circle this Friday, December 18.

Tynanes springs back to action after nearly two years of inactivity as he tangles with Marat “Cobra” Gafurov at ONE: Collision Course in a lightweight bout at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Banario knows all about the unbeaten American. He was the last person to face Tynanes, losing in the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix quarterfinals in January 2019.

According to “The Rock,” having Tynanes back only deepens the loaded lightweight division.

“He’s a very strong and explosive fighter, plus his striking is improving,” Banario said. “His strength is always in his wrestling. When he pins you down, he can do a lot of things like ground and pound, or go for submissions.

“The hardest part in facing Lowen is when he takes you down. It’s not easy to escape his ground control, he is very good at controlling his opponent [on] the ground.”

What’s intriguing about this clash is that neither men will shy away from a ground battle.

Given Tynanes’ wrestling background, Banario expects him to shoot for a takedown and take control from the top position, a position that Gafurov is comfortable competing from.

“This is something to look forward to because they are both good on the ground. I think it boils down to whoever gets tired first,” Banario said.

“I think Lowen will win, especially if he goes ahead first.”

With that said, Banario still believes that he could’ve been the first athlete to put a blemish on Tynanes’ record if only he kept the match on the feet.

But unless Tynanes decides to move to the featherweight division – where Banario is comfortably competing nowadays – he’s not too hot on the prospect of a rematch.

“If they give me a chance to fight him again, I will gladly accept but it has to be in my division,” Banario said.

“I think I still have a chance to win if I can defend his takedown and stay on my feet. I can do many things to him in a stand-up fight.”