IT has now been a year since former two-time ONE Lightweight MMA world champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang started Lions Nation MMA, officially adding the titles of coach and gym manager to his resume.
And as he closes the first year of juggling different duties, he believes that his choice to part with Team Lakay has been the right decision.
READ: Former ONE champion Eduard Folayang leaves Team Lakay
Under the Lions Nation MMA banner, Joshua “The Passion” Pacio got the ONE Strawweight MMA world title back after outlasting tough No. 5-ranked Mansur Malachiev and then beating Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks via disqualification.
Jeremy “The Juggernaut” Pacatiw then made short work of Wang Shuo in his debut in black and gold trunks, while Folayang himself ended years of futility when he knocked out Amir Khan in their 2023 rematch.
“We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved in just one year. Our success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of every member of our team,” said the proud founder.
“As we enter our second year, we are excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Avengers assemble
Indeed, it wouldn’t have been possible without co-founders Pacio and former ONE Bantamweight world champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon, two men who bravely took the jump with him in this endeavor.
“It's wonderful because our team is growing. We started with just four people, and now we're like a family,” said Belingon.
“Our only wish is for opportunities to keep coming in so we can prove ourselves on the big stage and for the team to gain recognition.”
For Pacio, the fledgling team's successful first year is but the tip of the iceberg in their potential.
“This is just the beginning. I don't think we have already reached our full potential as a team. As they say, we're just heading toward the exciting part,” said Pacio.
“It's great to see that there is still a lot of room for growth for the team, and that's important to keep us hungry.”
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