Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 24) – Two rising Filipino mixed martial arts standouts will fight for honor and glory in ONE: Full Circle on Friday at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
In the main card, Team Lakay bet Jeremy Pacatiw is up for what is easily the biggest test in his young career as he takes on number four-ranked bantamweight contender Fabricio Andrade.
Pacatiw said he will do whatever it takes to stop the five-bout winning streak of Andrade who has yet to lose since joining ONE Championship in 2020.
“I have more to offer that will surely thrill our audience and it is expected every time we step inside the Circle that we really need to show another version of ourselves, and that another version is the improved version. We want to show the world that we are constantly evolving,” said Pacatiw.
The 25-year-old Filipino MMA upstart emerged victorious in his ONE Championship debut with his well-rounded game leading to unanimous decision victory against Chen Rui in ONE: Battleground last July.
“A win could put me in the ONE Athlete Rankings and also a chance to get closer to a possible fight for the title. That’s my dream here,” Pacatiw said of his goal ahead of the fight.
Pacatiw’s head coach Mark Sangiao noted that a victory against Andrade will be monumental for the fighter nicknamed “The Juggernaut,” a moniker he can keep if he will focus on his strengths.
“Jeremy is an athlete that matches his opponent’s dance. When his opponent is not that explosive then Jeremy mirrors him. When he is facing a fierce one, then be ready to see a fierce Jeremy. The Juggernaut has his own rhythm and he adjusts and adapts according to the music of his rival,” Sangiao said.
Meanwhile, Marrok Force fighter Drex Zamboanga surprised everyone with his decision to leap two weight divisions from flyweight to lightweight.
“There’s only one Filipino competing in lightweight and by moving here, I feel like it’s opening another opportunity for Filipinos to become a world champion, because that’s my goal, to win a world championship at lightweight,” Zamboanga pointed out.
Zamboanga, the brother of women’s atomweight fighter Denice, will battle Rahul Raju in one of the event’s six lead card fights.
The 32-year-old fighter admitted he is feeling some nerves in his upcoming tussle since he has not faced any lightweight fighter, but he confidently said he feels good moving up to a heavier weight class given his tall height.
“I felt like being at flyweight is unhealthy for me. At the same time, it’s risky. I’m a big man, I’m 5-foot-11 and at flyweight, I can’t maximize my strength in matches,” said Zamboanga.
“I’m still feeling it to be honest but I don’t think I slowed down. I also feel stronger. The more I add weight, the more I also feel that I add strength,” added Zamboanga, who tapped out Detchadin Sorsirisuphathin with a rear naked choke in a second round submission victory in his last fight at ONE: New Breed back in August 2020.
