Banario eyes to reclaim ONE FC featherweight title

MANILA, Philippines – As legendary Jack Dempsey was once quoted as saying, “A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t”. Come Dec. 6, former ONE FC Featherweight World Champion Honorio Banario looks to get back up and reclaim his championship.

The year 2013 has been a period of extreme peaks and valleys for the 24-year-old Banario. In February, Banario defeated Eric Kelly to become the ONE FC’s first featherweight world champion and the Philippines’ first world champion in mixed martial arts. However, the Baguio native lost the title in May in front of 20,000 of his countrymen at ONE FC’s first Manila event when he was knocked out by Japanese veteran Koji Oishi in the second round. It was particularly disappointing for Banario as he had Oishi cornered and was seconds away from ending the fight in the first round when the bell rang to conclude the round. The apologetic Banario stated, “I wanted to apologize to all the Filipinos watching, but I will come back stronger and better.”

Honorio is the eldest of three highly-talented fighting brothers. The trio will engage in sparring sessions at home growing up in Baguio. Their parents were initially resistant to them participating in Wushu and subsequently MMA, but they were convinced when Honorio found early success, paving the path for his brothers.

Having his lifelong dream crushed, Banario has patiently awaited his chance at vengeance. He began questioning himself. Had he not started on his mixed martial arts journey, the Cordillera Career Development College graduate will likely have utilized his Bachelor of Science in Criminology as a police officer. However, Banario realized that he has unfinished business and will look to showcase against why he is the Philippines’ greatest hope in mixed martial arts. Banario excitedly quipped, “I was winning the first bout. Now is my time to get back my title. Oishi, I am coming for you!”

ONE FC returns on Dec. 6 with an event aptly named ONE FC: MOMENT OF TRUTH. The main event will feature Banario’s chance at redemption as he takes on Koji Oishi once again, this time as the challenger. This is the moment of truth for the Wushu exponent, as he looks to become champion once again.