Eustaquio weathers Moraes to become undisputed ONE flyweight champ
MACAU — Geje Eustaquio absorbed everything the Flyweight champion Adriano Moraes gave him: kicks, knees, and spinning back-fists. For five rounds, the Team Lakay ward returned it all back—and some more.
The 29-year-old interim champion from Baguio City overcame a foe from four years ago, earning the nods of the judges via split draw and the right to bear the title of the undisputed champion during the nightcap of ONE Championship’s “Pinnacle of Power,” early Sunday morning at the City Studio event center here.
Intense 2nd Round! #ONEFightNight pic.twitter.com/HlF8adXvZo
— Philstar Sports Hub (@StarSportsHub) June 23, 2018
Nail-biter! We go to the scorecards! #ONEFightNight pic.twitter.com/Rz4DvnjH2M
— Philstar Sports Hub (@StarSportsHub) June 23, 2018
“The moment I started 14 years ago, I never thought of standing here as a champion,” Eustaquio said, awashed with gold confetti and exhaustion, said.
“Impossible is not a word. It’s just a reason. Everybody can be a champion as long as you have the drive and the attitude.” he offered before a deep sigh of relief.
.@TeamLakay’s Geje Eustaquio is @ONEChampionship’s undisputed Flyweight champion! He wins via Split Decision and avenges a loss from four years ago. #ONEFightNight pic.twitter.com/qOdjbvmQd4
— Philstar Sports Hub (@StarSportsHub) June 23, 2018
And who could blame him for exhaling that much? Eustaquio, for his part, just eliminated his champion counterpart who was riding on a four-match win streak. He outlasted a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace who for three rounds, sought for that takedown, that lock, and that submission.
Eustaquio, seemingly primed for a brilliant revenge arc that took four years in the making, took over late in the third round. He snuck in sharp strikes, remained elusive through his defense, and leaned on the distinct conditioning to get past the biggest hurdle of his career.
"I came to Macau with one mission. And that is to get this. I know I was not capable of doing this alone. My Dad, Jesus Christ, [and] a very big team on my back,” he offered.
Eustaquio completes a mission that affords him a 11-6 pro record.
Moraes, on the other hand, heads home dethroned with a deformed cheek, and distraught with a win-loss card that dropped to 17-3.
OTHER RESULTS
Women’s Strawweight World Championship bout: Xiong Jing Nan defeats Laura Balin by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 5 rounds
Super Series Muay Thai catchweight bout (67.0kg): Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai defeats Fabrice Fairtex Delannon by TKO (Doctor Stoppage) at 0:43 minutes of round 2
Lightweight bout: Ev Ting defeats Koji Ando by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Featherweight bout: Narantungalag Jadambaa defeats Edward Kelly by TKO (Strikes) at 4:58 minutes of round 2
Super Series Muay Thai flyweight bout: Lerdsila Phuket Top Team defeats Sok Thy by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds
Super Series Kickboxing heavyweight bout: Tarik Khbabez defeats Alain Ngalani by Knockout (KO) at 1:49 minutes of round 3
Super Series Muay Thai flyweight bout: Yukinori Ogasawara defeats Rui Botelho by Knockout (KO) at 2:54 minutes of round 2
Featherweight bout: Li Kai Wen defeats Rodian Menchavez by Knockout (KO) at 0:10 minutes of round 1
Flyweight bout: Danny Kingad defeats Ma Hao Bin by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds
Bantamweight bout: Rin Saroth defeats Mario Satya Wirawan by TKO (Strikes) at 2:30 minutes of round 3
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