MANILA – Stephen Loman, the longest-reigning champion of Brave Combat Federation, has signed up with ONE Championship.
Loman himself confirmed the development on Tuesday night.
"It's an overwhelming opportunity but I'm excited to join my Team Lakay brothers in the biggest martial arts organization in the world," he said.
Loman is well known for his stellar stint with Brave, holding the promotion's bantamweight championship for three years.
However, he dropped a bombshell last month when he implied that he had just left Brave.
Loman bared on Tuesday night that he gave up his title belt, which means he would have to climb the championship ladder from scratch again.
He, however, is unfazed about it.
"I'm excited to enhance my skills on this platform and showcase my style to millions of viewers across the globe. Of course, fighting in a new promotion and a new environment will be a challenge but it's one I'm more than willing to face. I'm ready to show ONE Championship fans the best of Stephen Loman," he said.
Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao affirmed Loman's newfound motivation.
"I spoke to Stephen and he's highly motivated right now. He can't wait to get in the Circle and put on a show. Of course, I'll be there for him, as well as all of his teammates at Team Lakay, every step of the way," Sangiao said.
Due to the significant difference in the weight limits between ONE and Brave, ONE has yet to determine on which division Loman would fight.
He is expected to stay at the bantamweights, although he may slide down to the flyweight class, which in ONE standards is its 135-pound division.
Pacatiw wants in too
Loman is not the only Team Lakay fighter who bolted from Brave as Jeremy Pacatiw disclosed that he too had left the promotion.
It was later disclosed that Pacatiw's contract with Brave expired last October and he was not renewed.
“I feel sad because Brave CF was the first international fighting stage where I showcased my skills for the past four years. It gave me the ticket to travel around the world from Asia to (the) Middle East to Africa. But on the other hand, I’m grateful because I know and believe that some doors close for another much greater opportunities to open,” he said.
Pacatiw expressed hope that ONE would pick him up from free agency as well.
"If God permits, I dream to join and be a part of the ONE Championship family. I’m really wanting to join my brothers there even if I’ll start from baby steps at bantamweight," he said. (PNA)
