Adriano Moraes, Geje Eustaquio

After defeating Kairat “The Kazakh” Akhtemov, 30, the next step for ONE Interim Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, 28, is to challenge the reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes, 28. If ONE Championship sets the title unification bout soon, it appears that the fighter from Team Lakay of Baguio City, Philippines is prepared.

Hailing from Almaty, Kazakhstan, Akhtemov became the ONE Flyweight World Champion on November 21, 2015 after dethroning Moraes at “ONE: Dynasty of Heroes” in Beijing, China. The Kazakh’s reign lasted for 625 days as he was dethroned by Moraes in their rematch at “ONE: Heroes of the World” in Macau, China.

On August 5, 2017, Moraes successfully defended his title from Eustaquio’s fellow Team Lakay fighter Danny “The King” Kingad, 22, at “ONE: Legends of the World” in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. On January 26, 2018, the Brazilian champ returned to the same venue not to defend his title again but to watch the rematch between Akhtemov and Eustaquio at “ONE: Global Superheroes.”

After five five-minute rounds, Eustaquio was declared the winner at “ONE: Global Superheroes.” It was a redemptive win for the Team Lakay fighter as he lost to Akhtemov at “ONE: Total Victory” on September 16, 2017 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

At “ONE: Global Superheroes,” Moraes was invited inside the cage with his ONE Flyweight World Champion belt. He did congratulate Eustaquio for winning but told the Filipino fighter that he is not giving up his title anytime soon.

During the post-fight press conference at “ONE: Global Superheroes,” I asked Eustaquio how much time he needed to face Moraes. The Team Lakay fighter said he is ready to face the reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion and will face him anytime ONE Championship schedules their rematch.

“I have the best people on my back,” Eustaquio said. “They can prepare me anytime.”

Eustaquio faced Moraes before the latter became the ONE Flyweight World Champion. The Brazilian fighter submitted the Filipino fighter via guillotine choke at “ONE: Rise of the Kingdom” on September 12, 2014 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Currently, Eustaquio has 10 wins and 6 losses while Moraes has 17 wins and 2 losses. Meanwhile, watch the ONE Interim Flyweight World Championship bout between Eustaquio and Akhtemov here: