Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 26) – Team Lakay standout Stephen Loman gave the Philippines a good start in ONE: X, the 10th anniversary event of the Singapore-based mixed martial arts organization ONE Championship.
Loman nailed a unanimous decision victory over Japanese foe Shoko Sato on Saturday at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The 30-year-old Filipino fighter displayed his striking abilities against the more passive Sato, which proved to be an advantage throughout the three rounds of their bantamweight bout.
Loman also capitalized on some takedowns against Sato, particularly in the second round. The referee, however, gave yellow cards to both fighters towards the end of that round for lack of action.
The Japanese fighter fought back in the third round as he became more assertive in going for his strikes, but the Team Lakay’s bet employed a strategy that enabled him to take counter hits and defend himself for the victory.
“I will do my best and climb to the rankings. That’s a better close for a title. I would love to challenge those who are above me,” Loman said in the post-game interview.
Loman now holds a 15-2 record and remains undefeated in ONE Championship following his debut victory last December.
He is also ranked third in the ONE bantamweight rankings, behind former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes, and “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il.
The 34-year-old Sato, meanwhile, fell to a 32-15-2 record.
