Eduard Folayang Is Sure His Match With Eddie Alvarez Will End By KO

Eduard “Landslide” Folayang will enter his bout with Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez at a crossroads in his career.

The former ONE Lightweight World Champion is coming off a tough defeat that saw him lose the belt for the second time in his career.

However, a victory at ONE: DAWN OF HEROES would mean his path back to the belt would be within reach, but a second straight defeat could mean his time at the top is over. 

The Filipino hero has faced similar challenges before, and he has prevailed. Folayang concedes that he has had to face setbacks before, but he has reached his heights because he got back up whenever he has been knocked down.

“My journey as a World Champion is like a roller coaster,” he says. 

“There are times when I am a World Champion and people look up to me. There are also times when I am defeated, so I will try again to climb the ladder to get the belt back.

“I got it, but lost it again this time. I think the most challenging part is how to get yourself back on the winning track. We are going to start again. That is not something new to us.”

Folayang conceded the gold to Japanese grappling legend Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki in March, but there was no shame in losing in the manner that he did to such an iconic and skilled athlete.

In fact, the result reinforced the Team Lakay representative’s belief that the competition in The Home Of Martial Arts is as fierce as it has ever been, and that the slightest mistakes could lead to one’s downfall. 

As such, the 35-year-old understands that he needs to keep evolving to keep his place at the upper echelon of the division. 

“One of the things that I learned in my career so far is to never stop learning and improving as much as possible because you should realize that everyone is aiming to become a [World] Champion,” he explains.

“As an athlete, if you start to think that you are good, you will no longer grow. [That is why] as much as possible, I want to learn to be better, sharpen my strengths, and improve my weaknesses.”

The quick submission did not leave him with any injuries, so he was keen to get back into the gym to sharpen his skills and prepare for his next assignment.

That will come at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines, against another former multiple-time World Champion who is in desperate need of a win following his shocking defeat in his ONE debut.

Though Alvarez and Folayang are both coming off losses, the magnitude of this bout is not diminished. These are two titans of the mixed martial arts world from the Eastern and Western hemispheres, who finally have the chance to face off in a dream match now that the American legend has joined ONE.

One of the reasons why this is such an incredible contest on paper is because of both athletes’ explosive striking, which could make for some amazing exchanges if they stand and trade in the center of the ring.

Folayang recognizes that kind of a contest would be dangerous, but has his rival well scouted, and he also sees a route to victory if they go toe-to-toe. 

“I think Eddie is a good martial artist – you will not become a World Champion if you don’t have a good approach to being a martial artist,” the Igorot warrior says.

“I believe wrestling and boxing are his strengths, but if you’ll look at Eddie’s track record, you will see that almost all his defeats are from high-level strikers – that is his weakness.

“It’s hard, but I am pushing myself to prepare.” 

Given the wide array of striking tools at “Landslide’s” disposal from his wushu base, as well as the meticulous planning he has undertaken, a stand-up battle will suit him down to the ground.

He admits that any match like this between top-class strikers will be unpredictable, but he is sure about one thing – an explosive ending.

“A knockout and submission will always be there if you are in the proper position – that is a given.

“I think it will end in a knockout.”

The final aspect of this match that the Filipino believes will give him an advantage, is that it will take place in his homeland’s capital.

Alvarez will have to enter the lion’s den in Manila as almost the entire Mall Of Asia Arena cheers in unison for one of their nation’s most beloved sporting heroes.

The love from the fans will give “Landslide” a huge boost, and it makes him positive that he will come out as the victor on 2 August.

“Having this bout here in the Philippines gives me confidence,” he adds.

“Those are what give me the confidence to face him in this bout – my preparation and the crowd.”