Former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio “The Rock” Banario has seen many battles in the ONE Championship Circle, but he is about to face the biggest challenge he has ever faced in his life.
That challenge is being a dad.
Banario and his wife Jessica are expecting their firstborn in August, and the jolly, easygoing Team Lakay standout admitted that he is still clueless about fatherhood.
“I am very excited. Me and my wife, we just can’t wait to see our baby. This will be very special because it’s my first time,” he admitted. “I am totally clueless about this, [but that] makes me even more excited.”
The couple just got married in April, and he knows a lot of sacrifices will be made if he truly wants to be the best father he can be.
From his dreams of being a World Champion again, Banario’s priorities suddenly shifted to providing for his family and giving them a better life.
“It’s a huge blessing for us. My goal is to be a good provider, a good teacher, and a role model to him,” the mixed martial artist said.
The 29-year-old Mankayan, Benguet native said that this development also gives him an added push to becoming a better athlete moving forward.
He knows that he can give his family a better life if he becomes more successful in ONE Championship, which is exactly what he plans to do.
“I’m even more motivated to train now and become a champion again because I know I’m going to need it in the future so I can provide more for family and our baby,” Banario explained.
“This is such a huge development for me. I know I have to be better. I know I have to win. I want to show my firstborn that I am one of the best in the sport.”
