Last weekend’s ONE Fight Night 21 was an event to remember for Jeremy Pacatiw.
But amidst the celebration, a somber shadow loomed over his moment of glory.
Pacatiw, who had every reason to revel in his victory, found himself unable to fully savor it.
His longtime comrade, Stephen Loman, was grappling with a devastating loss. In the lead-up to the event, the former BRAVE CF bantamweight champion’s world was shaken by the sudden passing of his father, Roldan.
Loman, Pacatiw, and Eduard Folayang were together in Bangkok, Thailand, when they received the heartbreaking news from back home.
The weight of grief hung heavily over their heads, turning what should have been a time of anticipation and focus into a period of mourning and reflection.
Despite the overwhelming emotional burden, Pacatiw knew that he needed to dig deep for his friend, to lift Loman’s spirits in any way possible.
And that’s exactly what he did.
“The Juggernaut” only needed a little over two minutes to beat Wang Shuo, submitting his Chinese opponent with a deep rear-naked choke.
As Pacatiw, Loman, and Folayang raised their hands in celebration under the bright lights of the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, the trio shared a silent acknowledgment of the poignant rollercoaster they had been through together.
In a gesture of profound empathy, the 27-year-old dynamo from Kapangan, Benguet dedicated the emphatic win to Loman and his departed father, offering a glimmer of solace in a difficult time.
“I dedicate that fight to Stephen Loman’s dad and his family. I know that it was a sad piece of news. But I dedicate the fight to you,” he told Tiebreaker Times in an interview.
“I’m praying for the comfort of Stephen’s family and that they will feel God’s love, peace, and joy. It’s really hard.”
While it may be bittersweet from a personal standpoint, it cannot be denied that this marks a major triumph for Pacatiw, who entered the bantamweight MMA bout against Wang from a 16-month layoff.
The Lions Nation MMA representative conceded that he is thrilled to be back in the fold, allowing him to propel his promising career forward.
“I’m still happy and blessed that I’m back to showcase my God-given talent. This is what I need, and my next job is to keep building on the momentum,” he said.
