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ONE CEO and chairman Chatri Sityodtong has been all praise for Team Lakay fighters Jhanlo Sangiao and Stephen Loman. The two Filipino MMA standouts are considered the next generation of the legendary fight stable's roster of talent. Both Sangiao and Loman have had impressive runs in ONE Championship so far, winning all their fights in dominant fashion.
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Jhanlo Sangiao, son of team founder Mark Sangiao, put on an impressive showing at ONE 164 last weekend. 'The Machine' made short work of promotional newcomer Anacleto Lauron that also earned him a performance bonus. It was his second win in the promotion and fourth career win via a rear-naked choke.
In his post-event media scrum, Chatri Sityodtong spoke about the new generation of Lakay fighters:
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"It does look like that there’s a passing of the torch, but if you look at Filipino MMA at the world’s highest level, a guy like Jhanlo, a guy like Stephen Loman, these are killers. And if that’s the next generation, I’m telling you, the future of the Philippines is gonna produce world champions once again, no doubt."
Stephen Loman has been on a tear at ONE Championship since his debut last year, compiling a three-fight winning streak culminating in a world title shot-winning performance over former bantamweight king Bibiano Fernandes. Both he and Jhanlo Sangiao are looking red-hot at the moment and are definitely bound for bigger things in 2023.
Jhanlo Sangiao impressed ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong the most at ONE 164
ONE 164 last weekend, held at the Mall of Asia arena in Manila, Philippines, had the theme, 'The Philippines vs. The World'. It showcased some of the best MMA fighters from the Southeast Asian archipelago.
Though some Filipinos saw the losing column that night, including ONE strawweight king Joshua Pacio losing his belt to American Jarred Brooks, a whole lot of other local fighters won.
ONE CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, was most impressed with one Filipino fighter in particular -- Jhanlo Sangiao. The way the 20-year-old marvel plowed through his opponent was like a bat out of hell. When asked what his favorite fight at ONE 164 was, Sityodtong said:
"It’s a blur, with so many first-round knockouts. My favorite fight of the night was one of the Team Lakay fights. Jhanlo, that was my favorite. Jhanlo kicked it off. I think Jhanlo is a future world champion. He has all the right elements."
Right from the get-go, Sangiao engaged Lauron in an intense clinch battle, ending with him slamming his foe to the ground. From there, Sangiao methodically and violently worked his way to Lauron's back and got the rear-naked choke finish.
