Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao saw a silver lining for ONE Championship newcomer Stephen Loman in facing No. 1 bantamweight contender John Lineker of Brazil.
In a recent interview with the Manila Bulletin, Sangiao bared that he wasn't expecting ONE Championship to match Loman with Lineker, but insisted that this is a good chance for his prized student to prove his worth in the Circle.
Read: Lineker overtakes Belingon for No. 1 bantamweight spot, eyes title shot vs Fernandes
But since Loman is a previous champion in BRAVE Combat Federation -- the longest reigning titleholder in the promotion's history -- Sangiao likewise saw what's coming for the Team Lakay stalwart.
"Sa akin lang, 'yung sinasabi ko rito kay Stephen lagi na ito 'yung isa na way para sumikat ka nang lubusan kaya ipakita mo na lahat (For me, I always remind Stephen that this is just one of the ways to make a name that's why exert your best effort), said Sangiao.
"Paghandaan mo na rin nang husto kasi once na tinalo niya dito si Lineker, baka siya na 'yung next namakakalaban ng title shot (Better prepare for this because if he defeats Lineker, perhaps he's next in line for the title shot).
Sangiao believed that taking on the UFC veteran would be beneficial for Loman, especially that he's raring to claim another belt after dominating BRAVE's bantamweight division for three years.
As of now, the Team Lakay patriarch is gauging Loman's preparation from 65 to 70 percent ahead of ONE on TNT IV on April 28.
Loman, who was undefeated in BRAVE, last saw action in November 2019 in BRAVE CF 30 to improve his record at 14-2.
Before jumping ship to ONE, the man known as "The Sniper" had defended his bantamweight title in BRAVE four times and won five straight times in the Bahrain-based promotion since November 2017. Loman currently has an 8-0 win streak since April 2016.
Lineker, for his part, rides on a two-match win streak since his ONE debut last October 2019 for an overall 33-9 slate. The 31-year-old Lineker, nicknamed Brazil's "Hands of Stone," had knocked out Team Lakay veteran Kevin Belingon last November to become the No. 1 bantamweight contender, sitting next to current champion Bibiano Fernandes.
If Lineker owns the "Hands of Stone," Sangiao said this might also be the reason for his eventual defeat, hinting on Loman's improved striking prowess.
"Pinanood namin 'yung mga past fights niya (Lineker) pero sa ngayon 'di natin mabitaw yung gameplan since wala pang 'yung laro. Pero naghahanda tayo (We have watched Lineker's previous fights but we cannot disclose the gameplan yet since the match is still a month away. But we're really preparing for it)," said Sangiao.