Eustaquio eyes to bounce back vs Toquero

Geje Eustaquio got his ONE FC career off to a flying start with a hard fought decision win over BJJ world champion Alex Silva and will be looking to make another statement of intent when he takes on Eugene Toquero next month.

The all-Filipino flyweight fight promises to be one of the highlights on the card at ONE FC: Moment of Truth, which is set at the Mall of Asia Arena on Dec. 6, especially with Toquero being undefeated with a perfect professional record of 4-0.

Eustaquio, whose tally stands at 4-2, is coming off a decision defeat to Andrew Leone at the same venue earlier this year, but believes becoming the first fighter to ever beat Toquero would instantly thrust him into Flyweight title contention.

“It is a good opportunity for me because he has never lost a fight before and ONE FC’s CEO Victor Cui has said that if I win, then maybe I will fight for the title next. That would be my dream come true.”

Vengeance will also be on the agenda because Toquero is coming off a stoppage win over Eustaquio’s Team Lakay teammate Jerome Wanawan.

“In his last fight he beat Jerome, and even though he is very small for a Flyweight, Jerome is a really tough fighter. So I know it will not be an easy fight for me either but I am confident I can defeat him and bring glory back to Team Lakay,” said Eustaquio.

In his most recent outing, Eustaquio dropped a unanimous decision to American wrestling standout and Road FC 135lbs Grand Prix finalist, Andrew Leone, at ONE FC: RISE TO POWER, so he will be looking to get back to winning ways when he faces Toquero.

Team Lakay head coach and founder Mark Sangiao has been overseeing Eustaquio’s preparation for the bout and says he expects a much improved performance from his protégée.

“I think Geje was very nervous about his last fight because it was his first time fighting for ONE FC in Manila and there were 20,000 people in the arena, so it was a lot of pressure and he did not perform at his best. But this time, he has an advantage because he has already fought in this venue before, so I expect him to fight to his full potential, and if he does that, I am confident in the win.”

Eustaquio is not one of the biggest names on the Team Lakay roster but he has a reputation for being dedicated, disciplined and hard-working and Sangiao believes he could be a contender for the ONE FC Flyweight World Championship title.

“Maybe Geje is not as well known as Eduard (Folayang), Honorio (Banario), Kevin (Belingon) or Rey (Docyogen) because he has had less fights, but I believe he is good enough to become a world champion with ONE FC if given that opportunity,” he said.

For Eustaquio, the stakes are high because he knows that if he wants a shot at the inaugural ONE FC Flyweight World Championship title, he needs not just to win, but to do so impressively and the Baguio based mixed martial artist says he is ready for the fight of his life.

“I will be going all out to get victory by KO or submission because I want to make it a fight people will remember for a long time. This is my chance to make everyone know my name and to become a ONE FC world champion in the future, I will not hold anything back and I will go for the finish from the moment the fight begins,” he said

The card will feature some of the biggest stars in Filipino MMA at Mall of Asia Arena. Tickets are now on sale at www.smtickets.com.