‘An Added Motivation’ – How Fatherhood Is Fueling Jhanlo Mark Sangiao’s Return At ONE Fight Night 33

Team Lakay prince Jhanlo Mark Sangiao has always been motivated to honor his fighting family’s legacy, but now, he’s found an entirely new source of inspiration.

The 22-year-old Filipino will return to action against Mongolian brawler Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg at ONE Fight Night 33: Rodrigues vs. Persson on Prime Video, which goes down live in U.S. primetime on Friday, July 11.

That bantamweight MMA showdown at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium will mark Sangiao’s first appearance since suffering the first and only defeat of his professional career – a heartbreaking submission loss to Shinechagtga’s compatriot, #4-ranked contender Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu, in August 2023.

But “The Machine” isn’t just preparing for his comeback; he’s also readying for fatherhood. With his first child expected to arrive any day now, he is experiencing emotions unlike anything he has ever felt before.

In fact, when Sangiao first learned he would become a father, the typically composed fighter was overwhelmed.

The phenom recently opened up to onefc.com about that life-changing moment:

“Man, I was so shocked at first. Really shocked, but I am so overjoyed. This is the biggest blessing that the Lord has given me in my life. Truly overjoyed.”

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for the Filipino standout.

After his crushing loss, Sangiao spent months refining his craft and preparing for his return. And with a child now on the horizon, his desire to succeed has reached new heights.

He sees his impending return to competition and his journey into fatherhood as two parallel paths that are destined to intersect. And with the baby due just days before ONE Fight Night 33, Sangiao believes the situation is more than a mere coincidence:

“It’s really an added motivation for me, especially as it coincides with my return bout. We’re expecting our baby to come out this June right before my fight, so yes, [we’re] really excited.”

For a young man who has spent his entire life preparing for matches, studying opponents, and honing techniques, Sangiao admitted that nothing could have prepared him for the reality of becoming a dad.

“The Machine” now finds himself filled with a mixture of nerves and excitement that surpasses anything he’s experienced in MMA.

He said:

“Fatherhood really makes me more nervous than all my fights combined. Unlike in fights, I haven’t trained for this. I haven’t prepared for this, and this has such big implications. I’m excited, but I’m also really nervous.”

Finding Strength In Partnership

While Jhanlo Mark Sangiao navigates the mental and emotional pathway to fatherhood, he’s found strength in his bond with his pregnant girlfriend.

The young fighter credits their strong relationship with helping him maintain focus during this transformative period. And ultimately, their teamwork has made the shared journey a smooth one.

Sangiao offered:

“This partnership, we’re just making it easy for each other. She’s totally understanding. She’s not really moody even though she’s pregnant, while for me, I try to be as present as possible for her.”

The impending arrival of his first child has fundamentally shifted Sangiao’s perspective on his career and his responsibilities as a professional fighter.

While he previously fought for personal glory and to honor his family’s name, he now sees each training session and bout as preparation for his new role as a provider and protector. He’s not just fighting for victories anymore. Now, he’s determined to build a future for his growing family.

Sangiao said:

“This really pushes me and inspires me to be the best man that I can be. Because of that, I want to push myself even harder through fights and make sure that I’m at my best because I’m gonna be leading a family now.”

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