Honorio Banario Outguns Rahul Raju At Home In The Philippines

Honorio Banario ASH_7950

Lightweight contender Honorio “The Rock” Banario is ready to start a new win streak.

On Friday, 23 November, the Filipino defeated Rahul “The Kerala Krusher” Raju in a 79-kilogram catch weight bout on the main card of ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS.

It was a tremendous back-and-forth affair, which the Team Lakay veteran edged to earn a unanimous decision victory in front of a home crowd at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

In a scintillating back-and-forth affair, Team Lakay's Honorio Banario defeats Rahul Raju by unanimous decision!

In a scintillating back-and-forth affair, Team Lakay's Honorio 'The Rock' Banario defeats Rahul Raju by unanimous decision!Watch the full event LIVE & FREE on the ONE Super App ???? http://bit.ly/ONESuperApp | TV: Check local listings for global broadcast

Posted by ONE Championship on Friday, November 23, 2018

Banario opened the first stanza looking to use his wushu strikes to knock out the Singapore-based Indian early.

The former ONE Featherweight World Champion then changed tack and stuck to Raju closely. He brought him down to the canvas at one point before he pressed him up against the cage where he landed a sneaky left hook and a couple of knees.

Raju, who entered the bout as a late replacement, proved to be crafty. He took the shots well and even reversed the position. Soon, it turned into a clinch battle, as both athletes traded knees and elbows.

Honorio Banario DC 3424.jpg

In the second round, “The Kerala Krusher” switched up his game plan to take matters to the mat. He put Banario in danger when he took his back and tagged the Filipino with punches.

“The Rock,” however, escaped and brought the contest back to the feet. He immediately connected with a stunning left hook, which sent the 27-year-old stumbling backward.

At this point, Raju was trying his best to avoid being finished. Instinctively, he grabbed onto a leg as Banario attacked with a kimura attempt, which the Filipino quickly turned into an armbar.

The Indian managed to escape, and brought the riveting match to the final round.

Honorio Banario DC 3845.jpg

The third and final frame saw more action, but the 29-year-old Benguet resident started to tire as he tried to put the finishing touches on Raju.

He connected on a beautiful right cross followed by a left uppercut, but “The Kerala Krusher” hung tough and was able to recover.

With seconds to go at the end of the bout, Banario saw an opening to grab onto Raju’s neck and came close to getting a last-gasp finish with a standing rear-naked choke, but Raju was saved by the bell.

Honorio Banario DC 6522.jpg

The bout was left in the judges’ hands, and all three scored the bout in favor of Banario, who took home the victory by unanimous decision.

“The Rock” moved his record to 14-7 and will have his eyes on a place the ONE Lightweight World Prix in 2019. 

More in News

John Ghazali and Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat
Marat Grigorian Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong ONE 165 50
Alexis Nicolas Magomed Magomedov ONE Friday Fights 47 39
Xiong Jing Nan Stamp Fairtex Jonathan Haggerty Superlek Kiatmoo9 for ONE 168: Denver
Duke Didier stands in the Circle at ONE 158
Seksan Or Kwanmuang River Daz ONE Friday Fights 46 98
Tawanchai PK Saenchai Superbon Singha Mawynn ONE Friday Fights 46 61
Izaak Michell ONE Championship
Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree Kongklai Annymuaythai ONE Friday Fights 24
Stamp Fairtex Denice Zamboanga
Alexis Nicolas Magomed Magomedov ONE Friday Fights 47 6
Jacob Smith Walter Goncalves ONE Fight Night 17 22