Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes successfully snatched back Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio’s ONE Flyweight championship belt at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday night in a grueling match that kept Filipino fans on their feet for the first-ever trilogy match in ONE Championship history.
“Sorry Pilipinas if we didn’t make it tonight. In my mind, I thought I was winning the fight. But it’s part of it, these ups and downs. Tonight is not my night, it’s Adriano’s night, but the road does not end there. The road does not stop there. I’ve been through it before, but it’s time to get back to the drawing board,” said the 29-year-old Geje.
Moraes took the match by a unanimous decision after five heart-stopping rounds, where Eustaquio connected powerful punches left and right and Adriano controlling the center of the cage, which elevated in a high-stakes game of relentless takedowns and submission attempts.
The standstill was broken with Moraes mounting at the back of Eustaquio and performing a deep kneebar, which shocked the audience as it meant sure submission for Team Lakay’s wushu stylist. Eustaquio, however, managed to survive, showcasing his flexibility and revving up the crowd with his determination.
“That kneebar, I have to admit, was a deep kneebar. I was waiting for Adriano to take off my knee and let him bring it, but I won’t tap. I decided to finish the race, to finish the fight, even if it takes five rounds,” said Eustaquio.
“It hurts to smile, but we are people of the mountains and there's no mountain we cannot conquer. I respect the decision of the judges and I take it positively in order for me to become a better athlete,” he added.
Meanwhile, in the co-main event of the evening, Lowen Tynanes secured a victory by technical knockout in the very first round against Honorio Banario, while Danny Kingad was the sole fighter in Team Lakay, who claimed a victory in a match against Japan’s Tatsumitsu Wada, winning by unanimous decision.
