Former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje Eustaquio wishes a title shot for his Team Lakay teammate, Danny Kingad. “The King” is currently ranked #2 in the official athlete rankings in the flyweight division, sitting just beneath Demetrious Johnson and reigning world champion Adriano Moraes.
Former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio of the famed Team Lakay from Baguio City, Philippines treats his teammates like his own ‘brothers.’ Which is why the 31-year-old veteran has no qualms about stepping aside for Team Lakay junior Danny “The King” Kingad in a race for the world title.
“My wish is for Danny [Kingad] to take the title this year. He has a good chance at earning another shot at the belt,” said Eustaquio.
“The kid is seriously talented and very strong.”
Kingad is currently ranked #2 in the official athlete rankings in the flyweight division for mixed martial arts, sitting just beneath former UFC Flyweight World Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, and reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes.
Kingad is a winner of seven of his last eight contests, with a lone defeat to Johnson himself. He previously challenged Moraes in 2017 in his first shot at the world title. Since then, Kingad has improved by leaps and bounds, and Eustaquio believes he will do much better in rematches against either Johnson or Moraes.
“He’s consistently growing! He’s not the same fighter who fought Adriano and DJ the first time. Danny is a difficult matchup for anyone at this point,” said Eustaquio.
Team Lakay is looking to put together a massive 2021, following a year marred with disappointment. The team spent the holiday time each with their families and close relatives to re-energize and refocus their efforts, in preparation for the next 12 months, before reconvening in Baguio City to support a teammate whose mother had recently passed away.
“I spent the holidays with close family by my side. It was indeed a very happy new year. We went on a getaway trip, took the kids out to go swimming. My son Cage loved it. It was just the kind of trip I needed to nourish my soul, after all that we went through in 2020,” said Eustaquio.
“However, it was definitely a sad start on the 1st of January, as we all met up at Lito’s [Adiwang] house to mourn the passing of his mother. But I’m glad we could be there for our brother.”
Eustaquio bares that most of Team Lakay has already started their training and are back in the gym to resume the hard work they are known for.
“Everybody on the team is excited and very motivated to win. Spirits are very high and we’re all ready to get the year started. Most of us already started our preparations and are back in the gym training,” said Eustaquio.
Eustaquio, on the other hand, believes he has one more good title run in him and is putting in the time and effort to make that dream a reality.
“For myself, I am hoping to make one more run at the title. I’m working very hard to put myself in a position to compete at the highest level. My victory last year was a good start, and now I have to build on that,” said Eustaquio.
“This is going to be a busy year for the team. Everyone wants to get better and we want to make a big statement in the Circle.”
