Eustaquio says Moraes ‘welcome to strike with me’

MANILA - ONE interim flyweight champion Geje Eustquio of Team Lakay responded to flyweight champion Adriano Moraes' pronouncement, made over their looming June 23 showdown at the Studio City Event Center in Macau, that he wanted to start winning by stoppages again.

"If he wants to stand with me, he's welcome. Let's do this, it will be my pleasure. We'll be using four-ounce gloves meaning we can both knock each other out," Eustaquio told GMA News Online.

"The best way to counter his ground game is to keep the fight standing up. But if we go to the mat, my jiu-jitsu is there. I am ready to show the world my improvements in grappling."

The upcoming unification bout between the two champions is a rematch of their first encounter in 2014 when Moraes submitted Eustaquio to win the inaugural ONE flyweight title.

Scribes and fans alike pointed out that Eustaquio had improved immensely over the years since their first fight, and Eustaquio is out to prove on fight night that he's not the same fighter he was four years ago.

"I learned from our first fight that I needed to work on my jiu-jitsu, be better and grow in every aspect of mixed martial arts. I have to honestly admit, I was too green during our first encounter specially in jiu-jitsu and other aspects of mixed martial arts," said Eustaquio.

"I have to prepare for everything; it's not about them, it's about me. Sometimes it all boils down to the game plan, and of course Team Lakay always has my back, I have the best team. They look after my nutrition, preparation and make sure that I am healthy going to that fight. I believe I am going to win this time." — DVM, GMA News