Geje Eustaquio, Adriano Moraes gunning for the finish in Manila

THE first battle ended with a sublime guillotine choke, while the second was among the best World Title bouts in ONE Championship history.

Now, as ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio (11-6) and Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes (17-3) meet for a third time, the stakes could not be any higher.

The pair will settle the score in the main event of ONE: HERO’S ASCENT, which takes place at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines this coming Friday, 25 January. It will also mark the first trilogy bout in the promotion’s history.

When these athletes initially collided for the inaugural ONE Flyweight World Title in September 2014, Moraes submitted the Filipino in the second round.

READ: Geje Eustaquio, Adriano Moraes face-off for ONE: Hero's Ascent

In June 2018, nearly four years later, Eustaquio emerged victorious in the rematch. He left the ring with a razor-thin split decision and the belt.

Both athletes have the utmost respect for one another, but at the ONE: HERO’S ASCENT Press Conference in Manila yesterday, a sleek looking Moraes said this rivalry is in his favor.

“We’re going to see history in this fight,” the Brazilian said, confidently.

“I won the first [one] and for me, I won the second [one], and I will win the third one on Friday.

“It’s going to finish early in the first or second [round]. It’s not going to go to the judges.”

Eustaquio will be looking to spoil his party and turn around the mood in Team Lakay.

His teammate, Joshua Pacio, lost one of the camp’s four ONE World Titles last weekend, and “Gravity” admitted that has given him extra motivation.

“It’s pressure and motivation for me to keep going,” he stated.

“That’s another flyweight title for me to defend, and I have to do my best to retain that title.”

Sharing a same sentiment as Moraes, the Filipino hero said he would rather settle the battle with a finish.

“This is a World Champion platform. If I have the chance to knock him out, I’m going to grab it,” Eustaquio continued.

“I wouldn’t let that chance slip away, but I believe he came hungry, so it’s something I’m looking forward to, as I’m ready.”