Kevin Belingon, Honorio Banario also announce departures from Team Lakay

A day after Eduard Folayang’s announcement, two more fighters from Team Lakay in former ONE bantamweight world champion Kevin Belingon and former ONE featherweight world champion Honorio Banario have also announced their exit from the team.

The 35-year-old Belingon made the announcement on his Facebook account saying that he had an amicable exit from the team. He thanked Team Lakay’s head coach Mark Sangiao and expressed his desire to move forward as a fighter.

“I would like to make a public statement that I'm no longer with Team Lakay. I had a farewell talk with coach Mark Sangiao and we ended on a good note. Coach, thank you for everything and for understanding my need for growth,” Belingon wrote.

“Leaving the team makes me emotional because it has been my home for the last 16 years. But, at the same time I look forward for what lies ahead. Fresh start. My decision to leave the team comes only from my own personal desire to cultivate my skills.”

Team Lakay’s first ONE world champion Honorio Banario, meanwhile, also wrote that he left the stable after Belingon’s announcement. A member of Philippine national kickboxing team, Banario last saw action inside the cage in 2020 when he defeated Shannon Wiratchai by split decision.

"The path I am about to take is uncertain. But I know in my heart that it will pay off since I will be bringing the pride, the joy, and the training imbibed in me by Team Lakay wherever I go. I’m excited for the opportunities that have opened up," Banario stated.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News