Eduard Folayang Excited For World Title Redemption In Manila
Eduard “The Landslide” Folayang is fired up to redeem himself in front of his compatriots at ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS.
A little more than a year ago at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines – the venue he will return to on Friday, 23 November – a capacity crowd of Filipinos was stunned into silence when their hero lost the ONE Lightweight World Title.
It was a painful defeat, one that would stick with Folayang for months. However, after some soul searching, the 34-year-old surged back into contention to book a shot at the vacant belt.
“I am excited. These chances, they don’t come easy, and I treasure every moment,” he says.
Folayang’s opponent in the co-main event will be the top finisher in ONE Championship history – Singapore’s Amir Khan.
To get to this point, Folayang put together two consecutive victories over unbeaten Russian adversaries Kharun Atlangeriev and Aziz Pahrudinov.
Each man was a dangerous test of “The Landslide’s” ability to stay on his feet and attack with his trademark strikes, but he was dominant against both opponents. That proved he was ready to challenge for the gold again.
On paper, Khan may be the most dangerous opponent the Team Lakay product has faced in his career. The Singaporean’s eight knockouts in ONE Championship is a promotional record, but Folayang is not worried about his younger opponent’s reputation.
“I know he has a lot of power. Let’s not mistake that,” he says.
“You don’t score as many finishes as he has without having some heft in every strike, but I’m excited to clash with him. It will be a good test of skill.”
In his most recent contest, Khan also displayed his grappling ability as he scored a first-round submission finish of Folayang’s teammate Honorio Banario.
By snapping “The Rock’s” five-bout winning streak Khan confirmed his status as one of the most talented athletes in the division and booked his date with destiny, and his first chance at a World Title.
Folayang does not bear a grudge against his opponent for defeating his main training partner. He says wins and losses are part of the game, but getting some redemption for his team would be a bonus in Manila.
The former World Champion is confident he can do that, too, not least because of his experience advantage. Khan is 10 years his opponent’s junior and has never competed in a bout of this magnitude.
“My biggest advantage over Khan would have to be my experience. I’ve been in there with all kinds of guys – hard punchers, grapplers, intelligent guys – I’ve seen it all,” says Folayang.
“I think my experience, and the way I handle certain situations, will play a huge factor in this bout. I have complete respect for the kid, but he’s going to have to show me something I haven’t seen before.
“I’m coming into this bout with complete confidence. I believe in my team, and we will get the job done.”
If Folayang can defeat Khan, he will become the first two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion, and sit at the top of a division that has incredible things in store next year.
The recently announced ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix, which is set to involve newly-signed talent Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez, suggests the weight class will be a hotbed for action, excitement, and high-stakes encounters.
While there is no doubt that the hero from Baguio City will relish the chance to get involved with everything that is planned for 2019, there is only one thing on his mind for now.
The tournament and the weight class’ top competitors will have to wait until he has achieved what he has longed for since last November.
“I’m ready to win this title for my people,” says Folayang.
“This is the place where I lost the title, and I’ve waited a year for the chance to regain it. If I can win the title in Manila, I can prove to myself that I’m worthy of becoming champion again.”
