Jhanlo Sangiao will finally make his ONE Championship debut on December 3 when ONE: Winter Warriors II will be taped at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
And in his very first fight in the big league, the 19-year-old second-generation mixed martial artist will face Paul Lumihi (7-5).
Definitely, Jhanlo feels both excited and nervous about it.
“Merong kaba doon pero ito na ‘yung matagal kong hinintay since nag-start pa lang ako mag-training,” said Jhanlo, who has three pro fights under his belt during his time in Team Lakay Championship.
“Since bata pa lang ako, nanonood pa lang ako ng mga laban ng seniors namin. Dream ko talaga to kaya very excited.”
Expectations will be high on Jhanlo as he is coming from a team that has produced five world champions in two different promotions last decade.
Adding to that, his dad and Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao has bestowed to him his fight monicker “The Machine”.
“Ngayong malaki na siya, puwede ko na bigay sa kanya,” said Mark, who had a 7-2 prizefighting record until he retired in 2009.
“Binigay sa akin ‘yang pangalan na ‘yan nung lumalaban pa ko dahil ako ‘yung athlete na work-to-finish, ‘yung hindi tumitigil hanggang matapos ‘yung laban.”
Even at such a young age, Jhanlo is learning to embrace the pressure, using it as his motivation.
“Ang daming nag-eexpect na dapat ganito, dapat ganiyan pero ako, I’ll just show my talent kung ano ‘yung pinaghirapan ko since bata pa ako.”
Coach Mark is feeling the same way as his son Jhanlo since it will be the first time he will be cornering his offspring.
Though he treats Jhanlo the same way as the likes of anyone in the Team Lakay stable, Mark is anticipating that it will be different come fight night.
“First time kong mag-coach ng anak ko.
“Although yung mga athletes natin kinonsider ko ng mga anak natin, iba yung through blood,” shared Coach Mark. “Tignan natin. Pero kung sa akin lang, I will treat him as same sa ibang mga athlete natin. Doon ko na lang ma-experience siguro kung anong difference dun sa true blood ang iko-coach mo siya sa gilid.”
Mark, though, is confident that his son will have a better career than him.
“Sana mas magaling yung bunga.”
