Mark Sangiao

“Brave 22: Storm of Warriors,” the first ever Philippine event of Bahrain-based mixed martial arts promotion Brave Combat Federation, will feature nine bouts. Three of these are matches between Filipino contenders.

Among the 11 Filipino fighters competing at “Brave 22: Storm of Warriors,” five are training out of Team Lakay in Baguio City, Philippines. They are Jomar Pa-ac, 21, Jeremy “The Juggernaut” Pacatiw, 22, Harold “The Artist” Banario, 24, Jon Chris “Happy Feet” Corton, 26, and reigning Brave CF Bantamweight Champion Stephen “The Sniper” Loman, 23.

Along with Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao, Pa-ac, Pacatiw, Banario, Corton and Loman were present during the Brave CF press conference at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines on February 18, 2018. The promotion and Philippine television network TV5 signed their partnership during the event.

Among the five Team Lakay athletes, two are facing a fellow Filipino opponent. Both in the bantamweight division, Pacatiw and Banario’s respective opponents are Mark “The Ruthless” Alcoba, 27, and Ariel “The Lady Boxer” Oliveros, 24.

In an exclusive interview during the event, I asked Sangiao what he thought about Pacatiw’s bout with Alcoba. The Team Lakay head coach said, “I think that would still be a good fight”

“This is sport,” Sangiao contuned. “There will be times, there will be situations that you have to fight your own countryman.”

Banario was originally scheduled to Gamzat Magomedov, 23, of Russia at “Brave 22: Storm of Warriors.” Training out of KHK MMA in Manama, Bahrain, the Russian fighter who is  has been forced to pull out due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Oliveros.

The other Filipino vs. Filipino match at “Brave 22: Storm of Warriors” is between Rex “T-Rex” de Lara, 36, and Jayson “Oragon” Margallo, 24. They will also battle it out in the bantamweight division.

In the main event, former Brave CF Featherweight Champion Elias “Smile” Boudegzdame, 25, of France will challenge Loman. Meanwhile, watch my full interview with Sangiao here: