Honorio Banario Relaxed And Ready To Power Past Lowen Tynanes In Manila

Honorio “The Rock” Banario is fired up and cannot wait for the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix to be underway.

The 29-year-old former ONE Featherweight World Champion has his sights set on winning the eight-man tournament, which commences in the co-main event of ONE: HERO’S ASCENT this Friday, 25 January.

Banario will take on undefeated American Lowen Tynanes at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines in the first quarter-final match-up.

Though Tynanes has been on the shelf for almost three years, his record shows that defeating him will be no easy task.

The man from Ewa Beach in Hawaii, USA owns a perfect professional slate of 9-0, which features victories over established ONE lightweights including Koji “The Commander” Ando and Rasul Yakhyaev.

He also triumphed over ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang before either man had made it to the Home Of Martial Arts.

“I know everyone is looking at me like the underdog heading into this match-up. But that’s okay,” says Banario.

“I relish the underdog role. I’ve been an underdog my entire career. It’s nothing new to me. It gives me something to prove, and that’s when I’m at my best.

“I think this is a good test of skill. I always want to fight against the best, and Tynanes is certainly right up there with the best of them.

“One thing I know is that this is not going to be an easy fight. I’m not expecting it to be. No one in this tournament is going to have an easy match. I can’t underestimate Tynanes. That would be unwise.”

Banario enters the biggest match of his career a winner of six of his last seven contests. Since 2016, and his move to the lightweight division, “The Rock” has been on an absolute tear.

Heading into the bout with Tynanes, the 29-year-old knows what he needs to do to win.

“We’ve come up with a solid game plan,” said Banario.

“I’m fully aware of his strengths. I know he’s a terrific wrestler and he’s very strong. I think I have good wrestling too, so let’s see how it goes.”

Banario will need to be on point and in the best shape of his career when he steps into the cage with Tynanes this Friday night. After hard training over the holidays, “The Rock” is confident in his ability to roll with Tynanes on the mat, but he plans to keep the action standing, where he believes he has the advantage.

Banario is one of three Filipinos from Baguio City’s Team Lakay in the top three bouts of ONE: HERO’S ASCENT, and they are all determined to put on performances their countrymen in the Mall Of Asia Arena can be proud of.

Like Danny “The King” Kingad, who will face Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada, and Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, who will defend his ONE Flyweight World Title against Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes in the headline match, “The Rock” is determined to change his team’s fortunes around after its setbacks last weekend.

At ONE: ETERNAL GLORY last Saturday night in Jakarta, Indonesia, Joshua “The Passion” Pacio and Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly came up short, but Banario is confident he and his teammates can bounce back.

Everyone in the gym has learned from their experiences, which has made them more prepared for success this Friday.

“As long as we learn our lessons, we never really lose,” adds Banario.

“I have no doubt both Joshua and Edward will be back stronger and better than ever. As for me, there is no pressure heading into my match this Friday.

“I’m going to go in there and do what I do. I’ll execute what we have practiced in training, and we’re going to go out and get the victory.”