Former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio of the famed Team Lakay from Baguio City, Philippines was one of the only bright spots in Pinoy MMA in 2020.
The 31-year-old ONE Championship veteran came away with a thorough three-round unanimous decision victory over South Korean Song Min Jong last November at ONE: INSIDE THE MATRIX III.
“Gravity” couldn’t be happier to end such a peculiar year on a high note, despite still finding fault in his performance against a tough opponent.
“My 2020 went very smooth, all things considered. God is gracious, and he gave me a victory before the year ended. Now, it’s time to enjoy the holidays,” said Eustaquio.
“Looking back at it now, I’m actually a bit disappointed with my last fight, because I was looking forward to ending it with a submission or a knockout. It just so happened that I went in there with a big and strong athlete, honestly. We fought at a catchweight, I landed some big shots and stuck to my game plan. But he just wouldn’t go down. Weight was a huge factor in that one, as it always is in combat sports.”
Fans can’t say the same for Eustaquio’s esteemed teammates, however. Former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang, former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin Belingon, and rising star Lito Adiwang all suffered debilitating losses in recent outings.
Eustaquio remains optimistic despite the situation, and promises fans the team will be back better than ever in 2021.
“We will be back. We always say we are the ‘Kings of the Rematch’, and now it’s time to prove that once again. We’ll be back stronger, faster, and more skilled,” said Eustaquio.
“What I want is to become a better athlete and climb up the ranks again. I want to prove to the world that I still belong in the league of world champions. To do that, I have to develop my skills as fast as I can.”
Eustaquio plans to spend the remainder of the year with his family, and stresses the importance of spending good quality time with loved ones.
“This year, I bought my own ranch and I now have a cow. My family loves it,” said Eustaquio.
“Quality time is everything to me, and family is everything. Money can’t buy happiness, and money can’t buy time. Spend your happiness and time wisely.”
Though Eustaquio is not one to pick and choose his opponents, and would rather let the promotion plan out his fights, there’s one name he wants to face in 2021. He also wants to tell fans that he is looking to return to the Circle with a newfound hunger for exciting finishes.
“I have unfinished business with Gary Mangat. The rest is ONE Championship’s choice,” said Eustaquio.
“Fans should expect me to go out there hungrier than ever. I want to look for finishes in all of my fights. I want the fans to be excited and thrilled with my performances.”
ONE Championship returns with ONE: BIG BANG II, a previously recorded event for global broadcast on Friday, 11 December. In the main event, former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion and current #3-ranked contender Jonathan “The General” Haggerty of the United Kingdom takes on Taiki “Silent Sniper” Naito of Japan.
Watch ONE: BIG BANG II this Friday, 11 December on One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT). One Sports will air the event on a same-day delay at 9 p.m. PHT. Additionally, TV5 will air the event on a next-day delay at 11 p.m. PHT.
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