Team Lakay, is a martial arts group based in La Trinidad, Philippines.[2] Officially named Lakay MMA Top Team, it is also known as Lakay Wushu or Lakay MMA.[3][4] The group was founded in 2003 by mixed martial artist Marquez Sangiao. Sangiao was also head coach of the Cordillera chapter in Baguio for Wushu, and a seasoned martial artist with past experience in kickboxing, taekwondo, and Jiu-Jitsu as well as a martial arts instructor at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and a coach for Wushu at the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio City.[5][6]

Team Lakay
Est.2003; 21 years ago (2003)
Founded byMark Sangiao[1]
Primary ownersMark Sangiao
Eduard Folayang (Co-owner, until 2023)
Primary trainersJulio Agalatiw (Boxing)
Mark Sangiao (Head Coach)
Past titleholdersEduard Folayang (ONE Lightweight Champion)

Geje Eustaquio (ONE Flyweight Champion)

Honorio Banario (ONE Featherweight Champion)

Kevin Belingon (ONE Bantamweight Champion)

Joshua Pacio (ONE Strawweight Champion)
Training facilitiesBenguet, Philippines
Websitehttp://www.teamlakay.net

Team Lakay fighters use a distinctive style which has its roots in Wushu Sanshou.[7] The success of fighters such as Eduard Folayang, Honorio Banario and Kevin Belingon has helped to establish a reputation in the MMA scene.[8][9]

On October 26, 2011, it was announced that Team Lakay Wushu was to be a part of the ONE FC Network.[10]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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In 2013, Dave Galera became Team Lakay’s first athlete to compete in the UFC. Galera lost to Royston Wee at UFC Fight Night 34: Saffiedine vs. Lim and later he was released by the UFC. Mark Eddiva made his debut in The Ultimate Fighter China Finale: Kim vs. Hathaway against Jumabieke Tuerxun, he won via unanimous decision. Following year, Mark Eddiva will face Kevin Souza at The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale: Miocic vs. Maldonado on May 31, 2014. Mark Eddiva lost via TKO punches in the second round.

At UFC Fight Night 43: Te Huna vs. Marquardt on June 28, 2014, Roldan Sangcha-an made his debut in Australia against Richie Vaculik, he lost via unanimous decision.

At UFC Fight Night 66: Edgar vs. Faber on May 16, 2015, Eddiva and Sangcha-an are now part in the preliminary card. Both Sangcha-an and Eddiva suffering devastating loss on the preliminary evening.

Rich Franklin's ONE Warrior Series

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Lito Adiwang faced Jose Huerta in ONE Warrior Series 3 on October 11, 2018. Lito Adiwang won via KO in the first round.

Lito Adiwang faced Alberto Correia in ONE Warrior Series 4 on February 28, 2019. Lito Adiwang won via TKO in the first round.

Lito Adiwang faced Anthony Do in ONE Warrior Series 7 on August 6, 2019. Lito Adiwang won via unanimous decision and bagged a contract with ONE Championship.[11][12][13]

Departure of fighters and establishment of Lions Nation MMA

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In March 2023, former ONE Champions Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, Joshua Pacio and Honorio Banario left Team Lakay. On June 24, it was announced that they had formed their own team, Lions Nation MMA.[14]

Notable Fighters

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Current

Former

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "News | Team Lakay hoping to follow Evolve example | FOX SPORTS". foxsportsasia.com. Retrieved 2014-02-09.
  2. ^ "Team Lakay Has Turned Baguio into a Breeding Ground for Filipino MMA". Fightland. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  3. ^ "Baguio's Team Lakay Gym cited as one of Asia's best | ABS-CBN News". abs-cbnnews.com. Retrieved 2014-02-09.
  4. ^ "Interview with Team Lakay Wushu Founder and Head Coach Mark Sangiao - Bloody Elbow". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-02-09.
  5. ^ "The Fight Nation - Asia's Coolest MMA News Site!". thefightnation.com. Retrieved 2014-02-09.
  6. ^ "Team Lakay seeks to rise from the ashes | ABS-CBN News". abs-cbnnews.com. Retrieved 2014-02-09.
  7. ^ "Baguio City's Team Lakay cleans out URCC". Archived from the original on April 22, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2011.
  8. ^ "URCC XIX: Collision Recap and Results - Lakay Wushu Continues Dominance of Filipino MMA Landscape". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  9. ^ "ONE Fighting Championship: Which Camps Are Set to Shine?". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  10. ^ "One FC Announces Exclusive Partnerships with Several Promotions and Gyms in Asia - MMAWeekly.com". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  11. ^ "Team Lakay's Lito Adiwang earns 3rd ONE Warrior Series win in Singapore". conandaily.com. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  12. ^ "MMA: Singapore win earns Team Lakay stalwart ONE contract". abs-cbnnews.com. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  13. ^ "Lito Adiwang wins ONE Championship contract". tiebreakertimes.com. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  14. ^ "Folayang Forms New Stable With Ex-Team Lakay Members". International Business Times. 2023-06-24. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
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