MMA News: Team Lakay's Jhanlo Sangiao Ready To Make ONE Championship Debut

Jhanlo Sangiao is making his promotional debut under the ONE Championship umbrella, and the 19-year-old is looking forward to stepping inside the Circle.

Speaking to the media via virtual press conference, Sangiao admitted that there is a hint of worry as he enters the cage against Indonesia’s Paul Lumihi, but he is adamant that he will not let his nerves get to him.

“My emotions are mixed. There’s a bit of worry in there but I’ve been waiting for this for a long time since I started watching the fights of Team Lakay’s senior fighters when I was young. This is my dream and I’m very excited to make it come true,” he said.

Sangiao also acknowledged that there is a sense of pressure on him as his father and head trainer of Team Lakay, Mark Sangiao, will be manning the corner for his fight and that many have already voiced out what he should do during a fight.

However, he reassured the media that he has a game plan in place when he fights Lumihi at ONE: Winter Warriors II, and it has been something that the rest of Team Lakay has been preparing him for.

Sangiao has the enviable advantage of having high-caliber fighters to work with like reigning ONE Championship strawweight king Joshua Pacio as well as former titleholders Honorio Banario and Kevin Belingon.

The progeny of Team Lakay's head coach is not overlooking Lumihi, despite the Indonesian riding a four-fight losing streak, and also respects the fact that his foe is well-versed in both striking and the ground game.

“Paul Lumihi is a warrior through and through. He’s a champion there [in Indonesia] and that’s why I’m not underestimating him. This is MMA, anything can happen. Based on his moves, he’s a striker which is why most of his losses come from the ground. But, let’s see how the fight plays out,” remarked Sangiao.

Joining the 19-year-old Filipino on the ONE: Winter Warriors II card are Team Lakay stablemates Belingon, Danny Kingad and fellow debutant Stephen Loman.

ONE: Winter Warriors II will be recorded at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on December 3 and will be aired live via tape delay on December 17.