Honorio “The Rock” Banario will be on the lookout for Lowen Tynanes’ takedown attempts when they meet inside the cage this coming Friday, 25 January.
The Team Lakay representative is scheduled to lock horns with the undefeated American phenom at ONE: HERO’S ASCENT, which takes place at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.
It will serve as both the night’s co-main event and the first quarter-final of the highly-anticipated ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix.
Banario, who previously held the ONE Featherweight World Championship, is longing to test how far his current skill set has improved. Having been branded as solely a striker early in his career, he feels now is the time to showcase his development in the grappling department.
“This will be a good bout because this will test if I have really improved my wrestling,” the 29-year-old Filipino said.
“Lowen Tynanes is something else. He has good wrestling, and [he is] a high-level athlete. He’s a very well-rounded martial artist, who is yet to be defeated.”
Hailing from Hawaii, Tynanes holds an unblemished record of 9-0 with four wins by submission and two by knockout.
Using an aggressive striking approach and wrestling techniques to subdue his opponents inside the cage, the American has defeated some of the biggest names in the Asian mixed martial arts scene — including Banario’s teammate and reigning ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang.
"It’s a big challenge for me to face him,” the Team Lakay veteran admitted.
“My team was surprised when we found out that he will be my first opponent for the ONE Lightweight Grand Prix.”
Banario is coming off a hard-earned unanimous decision victory over Singapore-based Indian Rahul Raju at ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS last November.
The Filipino knows he will have his hands full against Tynanes, and that the upcoming bout will be a step up in competition.
With the help of his team, “The Rock” is confident he will pass the acid test with flying colors.
"I have huge respect for him as a mixed martial artist,” Banario said.
“I think Tynanes will attempt to take me down, so I have to defend his takedowns and do my best to keep it standing.
"If it goes to the late rounds, I’m certain that he will try to go to the ground. I am hoping for a favorable outcome in this bout.”
