By ANGELO JACINTO
Describing 2023 as a momentous year for Philippine MMA within ONE Championship would be an understatement.
The year commenced on a somber note with Joshua “The Passion” Pacio losing his ONE Strawweight MMA World Title in December 2022 to Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks. This marked the first time since 2017 that the Philippines didn't have a ONE World Title holder.
However, the narrative swiftly shifted from drama to intense action, and as the year concludes, optimism has returned among Philippine MMA enthusiasts witnessing their heroes triumphantly close out 2023.
Let's delve into the major highlights that shaped the Philippine MMA landscape this year.
Emergence of new contenders
The year kicked off with a significant move by the world's largest martial arts organization, incorporating the ONE Friday Fights shows at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium into its schedule starting in January 2023.
The weekly shows provided a platform for young fighters to showcase their skills among the world's best.
Among the standout performers were Carlos Alvarez and Carlo Bumina-ang from Team Lakay, along with T-Rex MMA's Fritz Biagtan.
Bumina-ang boasts an undefeated record in three bouts, Alvarez stands at 3-1, and Biagtan is presently 2-1, proving their international caliber.
Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao emphasized the significance of ONE Friday Fights, stating that it allows upcoming fighters to acclimate to ONE Championship's main roster competition.
However, it wasn't just the established teams benefiting from this addition.
Fighters like Dave Bangguigui from Fight Corps MMA and Moises Ilogon from Ox Fitness Lab seized opportunities and secured victories.
The likelihood of seeing these names on the main roster in 2024 should not come as a surprise.
Comeback kid: Lito Adiwang’s resilient return
Lito Adiwang faced a challenging period early in the year, questioning his suitability for MMA when he experienced pain in his surgically repaired ACL weeks before his scheduled return fight in January.
Despite the tough times, Adiwang persevered, ultimately achieving a victorious return and securing consecutive wins within six weeks. His triumphant comeback positions him as one of the hottest strawweights outside the top five contenders as he enters 2024 with renewed confidence.
Adiwang expressed gratitude for the support he received, acknowledging that the tough journey was worth it. His remarkable recovery is evident, with his knee appearing stronger than ever.
The Team Lakay exodus and its positive impact
The most surprising and dramatic news of the year revolved around the Team Lakay exodus, as pillars like Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon, and Honorio “The Rock” Banario departed to form Lions Nation MMA.
Subsequently, Joshua Pacio and Danny “The King” Kingad joined them, while Lito Adiwang sought a new path abroad.
This unexpected move seemed to ignite a resurgence in both Folayang and Pacio, who secured victories upon their return.
According to Folayang, change is constant, and the shift allowed for a reevaluation of habits and dynamics within the team. The departure also provided an opportunity for Team Lakay to refocus on their younger fighters, resulting in the emergence of talents like Alvarez and Bumina-ang.
Head coach Mark Sangiao viewed the situation as a blessing in disguise, stating that it paved the way for athletes who previously lacked opportunities.
The separation, when handled professionally, led to positive outcomes for all parties involved, showcasing that goodbyes can open doors to new and better paths.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
