Given his pedigree as a mixed martial artist, a lot is expected from Jhanlo Sangiao, as his surname is deeply ingrained in Philippine MMA history.
His father, Mark Sangiao, is a revered figure in the sport known for forming Team Lakay—a stable based in La Trinidad, Benguet, that has produced five world champions under the ONE Championship banner.
Apart from being a decorated trainer, the elder Sangiao was once an accomplished local competitor with a 7-2 professional record, including a lone reign as the URCC bantamweight champion.
While being part of the Sangiao family undoubtedly comes with its advantages, Jhanlo yearns to establish his name independently and not merely ride on the coattails of his father’s accomplishments.
“There really is pressure to carry the Sangiao torch moving forward. At the same time, I’m pushing myself to build my own name and career so that in the future, I’ll be on the same level as my dad—or even go beyond it. That’s the dream,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
His celebrated last name may have opened doors of opportunities for him, but “The Machine” is eager to prove that he is more than just a product of his lineage.
“When I joined ONE, I was always introduced as the son of coach Mark Sangiao. However, I also have high hopes for myself and to be recognized for what I am capable of,” Jhanlo stated.
Holding an undefeated slate of 6-0 with a 100-percent finishing rate, Jhanlo is displaying the potential to become a future world titleholder.
Moreover, he is 3-0 in ONE Championship, winning all of his matches by way of submission in the first round.
Additionally, he has been rewarded twice with a $50,000 performance bonus for his scintillating victories over the likes of Anacleto “L.A.” Lauron and Matias Farinelli.
The buzz surrounding him continues to grow each day, and the future looks incredibly promising for the 21-year-old phenom.
“I’m very thankful to God for all of this because He blessed me with the talent and these privileges,” Jhanlo mentioned.
His next assignment on Saturday, August 5, will determine if he is ready for the elite level of the bantamweight division as Jhanlo is penciled to collide with Mongolian hard-hitter Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu on the undercard of ONE Fight Night 13.
Despite the litmus test awaiting him in the form of a formidable opponent, Jhanlo finds solace in the fact that he has the perfect man for the job to lead him through this critical matchup—his father.
“It’s a blessing to have my dad. He’s been there from day one, guiding me. No matter how tough it gets, I’ll go in there knowing I’ve got the best coach and supporter right by my side,” he shared.
