MANILA, Philippines - Honorio Banario seeks to regain the title he lost to reigning ONE Fighting Championship featherweight titlist Koji Oishi of Japan as the two face off in a grudge match in the ONE FC: Moment of Truth on Dec. 6 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
Banario, 24, lost to Oishi after receiving a flurry in the 1.45-minute mark of the second round in ONE FC: Rise to Power also at the MOA Arena last May 31 and ceded the title he won by beating countryman Eric Kelly in the ONE FC: Return of Warriors in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last Feb. 2.
“I waited for this moment to fight him again,†said Banario in Filipino in yesterday’s presser at the Midas Hotel and Casino in Pasay City. “It will hurt my heart to disappoint my countrymen so I’m going all out for a win this time.â€
Filipinos Eduard Folayang and Geje Eustaquio likewise eye redemption after losing their last fights right in front of the Filipino crowd although ONE FC officials are still looking for fighters to pair with them at the moment.
Folayang lost to former UFC fighter Kamal Shalorus while Eustaquio was defeated by Andrew Leone both via unanimous decisions.
Banario, Folayang and Shalorus along with Kevin Belingon and Rey Docyogen, all known for their striking skills and limited ground and pound, fell victims to a disastrous and painful 0-5 demolition of the Filipinos at the hands of the strong foreign challenge on that one fateful fightcard last May.
Filipina Jujeath Nagaowa will also make her debut against a still unidentified opponent as part of ONE FC’s commitment to women’s MMA.