Banario lost to Lowen Tynanes, 28, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, United States in the quarter-finals of ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix at "ONE: Hero's Ascent" at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on January 25, 2019. The Hawaiian fighter was set to face Timofey Nastyukhin, 29, of Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo Oblast, Russia in the semi-finals.
But due to a serious back injury in training, Tynanes had to pull out from the card. Replacing the Hawaiian fighter, Banario will face Nastyukhin in the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix semi-finals at "ONE: Dawn of Heroes."
Banario is a top contender at lightweight who has won six of his last eight contests in the division. He possesses immense power in his hands, particularly his left hook, which has led to five big victories by knockout throughout his career. A member of Baguio City's famed Team Lakay, Banario faces one of his toughest opponents to date in Nastyukhin.
Nastyukhin, who shocked the world when he defeated Eddie Alvarez in the first round of the tournament via knockout, is a man on a mission. With only Banario standing in his way to the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix Finals, the Russian stalwart will bring his heavy firepower to the ONE Circle, as he looks to end matters early and secure a finals berth.
Banario's Team Lakay teammates Eduard Folayang and Danny Kingad are also on the "ONE: Dawn of Heroes" card. Folayang will face Eddie Alvarez in the lightweight division while Kingad is set to fight Kairat Akhmetov in the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix semi-finals.
#MMA #SPORTS #HonorioBanario #LowenTynanes #ONELightweightWorldGrandPrix #ONE:DawnOfHeroes #TimofeyNastyukhin
