Jhanlo “The Machine” Sangiao started his ONE Championship journey on a high note – and how could he not? As the son of famed Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao, he’s part of Filipino mixed martial arts royalty.
Last December, he won his debut against Paul “The Great King” Lumihi at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS II via first-round submission, and he attributed that victory to his fabled stable.
“My teammates, coaches, and dad helped me prepare for that match. They motivated me as well,” Sangiao said. “And most importantly, it was my debut fight, and I needed to make an impression and live up to the hype.”
Three months later, although he didn’t compete at ONE X, he did get first-hand experience of the promotion’s 10th-anniversary show when he cornered a few of the Team Lakay warriors who competed that night.
“ONE X was a monumental event, the biggest I have experienced. I also met prominent athletes who were all hungry to bring the victory home,” the 19-year-old phenom said.
“At this event, many famed athletes were on the fight card, and I said to myself, ‘Someday, I will be reading my name on a card like this, at a remarkable event like this.’”
It may not be long until his dream happens. But until it arrives, he has been working hard to improve his grappling skills. In fact, he wants to show those skills in his next outing, which hasn’t been confirmed yet.
“It is up to ONE on who they pick for me to face. As for me, anybody is fine. I’ll prepare for them and do my job,” he said.
But if that person happens to be his teammate in Stephen Loman, don’t expect the two to tangle anytime soon. He believes that “The Sniper” should face ONE Bantamweight World Champion John Lineker next.
“The chance of me facing a fellow Filipino is not impossible. I have kababayans (countrymen) in my division, but this is different when we talk about fighters from my team,” Sangiao said.
“My teammates in Team Lakay are my brothers. I don’t think I’d be willing to face them inside the cage.”ONE Championship returns to action with ONE 157: Petchmorakot vs. Vienot on Friday, 20 May, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Download the ONE Super App to catch all the action live and for free.
Fight Game Asia 