MMA

Mark Sangiao reveals Joshua Pacio was still under contract with Team Lakay, but let him go 'out of respect'

Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao revealed that former ONE strawweight world champion Joshua Pacio was still signed to an active contract when the latter expressed his desire to leave the team.

In an interview on Sparring Sessions, Sangiao shared that the 27-year-old Pacio had just signed a contract with Team Lakay a year ago. The coach, however, said he let Pacio go out of respect for the fighter.

“When these athletes Kevin [Belingon] and Eduard [Folayang] were starting I did not ask them to sign because they are kuyas (big brother). But the next generation, I asked to sign five years ago,” Sangiao said.

“Not to come to a point where we would file a lawsuit, but at least there is an agreement,” he continued.

“Joshua [Pacio] still has an active contract but he told me he is leaving. Out of respect [I let him] but it was one of those things that should not happen professionally. To me as their manong, go ahead. I am easy to talk to.”

Pacio was the fourth key member of Team Lakay who decided to leave the prestigious mixed martial arts stable. Before his announcement, former world champions Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, and Honorio Banario announced their departure from the team.

According to Sangiao, he is hoping to have another conversation with the ex-world champion to formalize things.

“He signed a five-year management contract last year. I have yet to speak to him personally. I am going to talk with him and clear things up,” Sangiao shared.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News