With Eduard Folayang and some of his fellow former world champions opening up their own gym, Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao is more than happy to  welcome saying that this will help further develop martial arts in the region.

Early this year, Folayang, Kevin Belingon, Honorio Banario and Joshua Pacio parted ways with Sangiao and opened up their own gym at Kilometer 4 in La Trinidad, Benguet last Saturday.

With this, Sangiao said in a Team Lakay release “that a new MMA gym in town, he looks forward to having healthy competition whether in local or in international events.”
“I wish them luck and hope to have a healthy competition with them soon,” said Sangiao.

Sangiao in a gesture said he wants to invite his former wards compete in future Team Lakay events that including tge upcoming 38th Lakay Grapplers Cup slated July 9 as part of the Sen. Sonny Angara – Benguet Friendship Games to be held at the Benguet State University here.

The event is focused on improving clinching and ground fighting as Team Lakay hopes the development of MMA fighters in their submission skills. This involves use  of submission holds which brings together techniques from folk wrestling, judo, Greco-Roman wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, jujutsu (of the traditional form), and sambo.

The July 9 event also aims to develop the skills of local MMA enthusiasts and prepare them for higher levels of combative sports.

Team Lakay is also expected to go back to Kabayan to  expected to follow-up to the resounding success of the Kabayan Fury 1 which bannered 10 up and coming mixed martial arts fighters across the country.

Former Team Lakay members who have build their own gym include Dave Galera, now the manager of Gridlock Gym, siblings Jenelyn and Jerry Olsim who is set to open Graceful Bokodian Lions Martial Arts Gym and the recently opened Landslide Martial Arts Training Center/Lions Nation MMA.

Stephen Loman, who is expected to face ONE Championship bantamweight titlist Fabricio Andrade also manages Sniper Gym.

Even with the recent events, Sangiao said he is thankful to Benguet Congressman Eric Go Yap and Fairtex for their continued support to the team. Pigeon Lobien