MANILA – Filipino mixed martial arts fighter Geje Eustaquio failed to defend his ONE flyweight world championship after a unanimous decision loss to Brazilian Adriano Moraes on Friday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Aside from reclaiming the ONE world title, the victory also served as a revenge for the 29-year-old Moraes after losing the championship to Eustaquio last year via a close split decision.
Eustaquio established himself in the opening round with his quick punches on Moraes but the latter came out strong in the second frame with several take down attempts on the Filipino.
Eustaquio regained his footing in the third round as he tried to outstrike Moraes but the Brazilian pounded the Filipino with numerous take downs and submissions in the fourth and fifth round to come out as the victor.
With the win, Moraes has improved his MMA record to 18-3, with nine submissions and three stoppage victories, while Eustaquio saw his slate dropped to 11-7, including two stoppages and two submission wins.
Meanwhile, Filipino Honorio Banario was also unsuccessful in his co-main event fight of the “ONE: Hero’s Ascent” fight card following a technical knockout defeat to Lowen Tynanes.
Tynanes made sure that Banario cannot stamp his class as he submissions the Filipino with ground and pound forcing the referee to stop the bout at the 4:46 mark of the first round.
In the undercard, Filipino MMAer Danny Kingad earned a spot in the ONE Flyweight Grand Prix after a unanimous decision victory over Japanese fighter Tatsumitsu Wada./PN
