By Jun Ray Navarres
Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao looks forward to seeing Jeremy Pacatiw triumph over one of the biggest challenges in his young career in the form of Fabricio Andrade.
“The Juggernaut” will lock horns with Andrade in a three round MMA showdown at ONE: FULL CIRCLE on Feb 25.
Though a huge test, Sangiao believes that this fight will be career defining for his young fighter.
“Fabricio Andrade is one of the best [here at ONE Championship],” he said.
Arriving to the largest home of martial arts only last year, Pacatiw is already confronting the division’s ranked-4 fighter.
Riding a high five-fight win streak, Andrade has already proved that he is a force to be reckoned with inside the Circle.
Most recently, Andrade made quick finish of Li Kai Wen with a first-round technical knockout at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS II.
But Pacatiw will not go into war unprepared.
“Fabricio is fully-equipped, so it’s vital that we don’t spot-train or spot-focus. We need to be ready in all ways,” said Sangiao.
Sangiao is also positive that Pacatiw will rise up to the challenge, arguing that his student has already faced similar – if not tougher – opponents from his previous promotion.
“He’s not the toughest opponent that Jeremy will face. If you try to check Jeremy’s fight record before he joined ONE, you can see a list of ace fighters that Jeremy encountered in his career up to this date,” Sangiao confidently stated.
True that the 25-year-old Igorot warrior has toppled big names from his promotions before coming to ONE Championship.
Pacatiw also dropped a huge shocker to Chen Rui with a unanimous decision win in his debut under the Singapore-based banner.
“Jeremy is on the nail when it comes to his training and preparations. Though he just came from his medical operation recovery, this did not bother him at all and he still went hard on his training for this upcoming fight,” Sangiao shared.
“Jeremy is an athlete that matches his opponent’s dance. When his opponent is not that explosive then Jeremy mirrors him. When he is facing a fierce one, then be ready to see a fierce Jeremy. The Juggernaut has his own rhythm and he adjusts and adapts according to the music of his rival.”
Nevertheless, a victory for Pacatiw over the no. 4 ranked bantamweight will definitely push him up in the rankings and hopefully join his stablemates Stephen Loman at no. 3 and former ONE Bantamweight World Champion Kevin Belingon at no. 5 spot.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @burnsports
