By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
After Eduard Folayang’s departure, two of the most popular MMA fighters in Team Lakay, Joshua Pacio and Kevin Belingon, also left the Philippine-based training ground announced last March 11, 2023.
Both former ONE Fighting Championship world title holders already bid farewell to the MMA stable and their head coach Mark Sangiao but are yet to announce their next move as pro fighters.
Belingon was ONE FC’s former bantamweight champion while Pacio previously held the belt in the strawweight division five times.
“Even beautiful things have endings, but it does not mean that beautiful beginnings are not coming! Memories are memories. Friendships are Friendships. And, life goes on,” wrote Belingon in his Facebook post.
Before entering the ONE FC franchise, Belingon was smashing his way in the URCC and also made several stops in different Southeast Asian fighting promotions.
It was in ONE where he found his footing under the mentorship of coach Sangiao who also helped him during his bantamweight title run.
“I had a farewell talk with coach Mark Sangiao and we ended on a good note. Coach, thank you for everything and for understanding my need for growth,” added Belingon.
Meanwhile, Pacio became Team Lakay’s most successful fighter during his reign in the strawweight division and successfully defended his belt five-straight times.
However, Pacio lost his belt last December 2022 when Jarred Brooks won via a unanimous decision during the main event of ONE FC 164.
Pacio is still determined to regain his lost championship belt and is only 27 years of age carrying an impressive 19-4 win-loss record in ONE FC.
What is going on with Team Lakay? Where will these prized fighters join to rediscover their winning ways?
