MANILA, Philippines — Geje Eustaquio showed improved ground game as he pulled off a vengeful unanimous decision victory over Kairat Akhmetov of Kazakhstan to emerge the new interim flyweight champion in the ONE: Global Superhero at the MOA Arena in Pasay City Friday.
Eustaquio mixed his superb striking skills characteristic of a Team Lakay fighter with a much decent grappling style to beat Akhmetov – the former flyweight champ – before a delirious Filipino crowd.
Eustaquio also avenged a close non-title, three-round split decision loss to Akhmetov in ONE: Total Victory in Jakarta, Indonesia in September last year.
Now Eustaquio, who has improved to 10-6 (win-loss), not only got his revenge and the interim belt in the division, but also gains a crack to unify the flyweight crown as he faces undisputed champion Adriano Moraes of Brazil, who happened to be present.
“Adriano! I’ve got a belt,” said Eustaquio, who lost four years ago to Moraes with a second round via guillotine choke. “When we faced the first time, I didn’t make it to the third round. Give me one more try,” he added.
Moraes accepted.
Akhmetov fell to his second defeat against 21 wins.
Joshua Pacio defeated Lan Ming Qiang of China in their strawweight duel to make heads turn.
