MMA: Why Eustaquio doesn’t consider loss to Akhmetov a defeat

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MMA: Why Eustaquio doesn’t consider loss to Akhmetov a defeat

ABS-CBN News

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Victory was sweet for Doliguez

It wasn't a loss for Geje Eustaquio. Handout photo

Former flyweight title contender Geje Eustaquio got outpointed by grappling specialist Kairat Akhmetov over the weekend in the main event of ONE: Total Victory.

But “Gravity” doesn’t see it as a loss; rather he considers it a lesson.

“We never lose. It’s either we win or we learn. My match against Kairat Akhmetov in Jakarta is a learning process for me and my team,” said Eustaquio, who saw his record drop to 9-6.

A victory would have brought him back to title contention against reigning flyweight champion Adriano Moraes. But now he has to go back to the drawing board and map out his plans. This includes possibly fighting Akhmetov again.

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“Kairat Akhmetov was the better man on that night. I give him my respect as a competitor in this sport. Maybe someday we'll meet again inside the ONE Championship cage. If that happens, he will face an improved version of Geje Eustaquio,” he said.

Meanwhile, Roy Doliquez is celebrating his breakthrough win in ONE Championship which came via a technical knockout stoppage of Yago Bryan.

It was his first win in ONE Championship after four fights.

“This victory is so sweet. I am excited about how the future will unfold as I continue my career in ONE Championship,” he said.

Although he struggled against the Brazilian in the early goings of their strawweight battle, Doliguez was finding his mark in the third round.

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He eventually connected a straight left the felled Bryan and the Brazilian was unable to recover.

“I realized then and there that I needed to score a knockout. I kept in my mind that I have a strong support system to back me up. I never lost hope.”

Another Filipino also won in that card.

Filipino karate practitioner Ramon Gonzales showcased a new grappling dimension to his overall game, finishing Chinese wrestler Liu De Li Ge Ri Hu via arm triangle choke submission.

“I can’t describe what I am feeling right now. I feel like I am on Cloud 9," he said.

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“Truly, hard work cannot be denied forever. I reaped the fruits of my own labor in my bout last Saturday. This will serve as a reminder that every ounce of hard work that I exert in training is finally paying off.”

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)

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