Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio is familiar enough with Kairat “The Kazakh” Akhmetov to know that his teammate’s upcoming match with the former ONE Flyweight World Champion in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix semifinals will be a tough one.
Team Lakay’s Danny “The King” Kingad will face Akhmetov in the tournament semifinals, and Eustaquio feels it will be an interesting match-up between the two warriors.
“I know Kairat is motivated. He has a different drive, and he’s very motivated to win,” Eustaquio said.
“His strength has always been his Greco-Roman wrestling. We saw that in his fight with Reece McLaren. Reece is a very good wrestler, yet he struggled to take down Kairat.”
Eustaquio certainly knows all about Akhmetov. The two shared the ONE Championship Circle twice in their careers already, with both athletes coming away with a win apiece.
In fact, it was “Gravity” who claimed the vacant ONE Interim Flyweight World Championship by defeating the Almaty, Kazakhstan native via unanimous decision in January 2018.
Knowing how crafty “The Kazakh” can be, Eustaquio understands where Kingad might struggle. But that’s about the only edge he will give Akhmetov in this upcoming three-round affair.
“Danny’s weakness is his experience, but that’s the only edge that Kairat will have over him,” he explained.
“However, his youth can be translated to hunger and his drive is certainly there as he’s already preparing for Kairat as early as now.”
While both flyweights have a history of producing exciting matches, Eustaquio does not envision a finish happening in this contest.
“They are both great warriors,” he said. “I don’t see anyone tapping or going to sleep. This will result in a decision.”
Regardless if it goes the distance or not, “Gravity” believes his teammate will be the one who emerges victorious.
For Eustaquio, that is something people can take to the bank.
“If I’m a betting man, I would put all of my money on Danny Kingad,” he said.
“The match will remain standing, and it will end by unanimous decision. Danny will win this fight.”
