Folayang seeks to exorcise ghost of past loss in Manila
THE last time Filipino mixed martial arts fans saw Eduard “Landslide” Folayang fight on home turf it was a devastating one as he was the recipient of a thunderous knockout loss that saw him lose the ONE Championship lightweight title in the process.
It is something the Baguio native hopes to cast out as he fights anew in Manila on July 27 at “ONE: Reign of Kings” happening at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Mr. Folayang (19-6) will take on Russian newcomer Aziz Pahrudinov in the undercard for Reign of Kings.
It will mark the first time that the Filipino fighter will take the ONE cage here in Manila after being knocked out in the second round by Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen in November last year in their crossover fight.
The loss saw Mr. Folayang lose his lightweight gold and Mr. Nguyen win his second world title, in addition to the featherweight belt he already holds.
In the aftermath of the defeat, Mr. Folayang said it was tough to talk about the loss but something he eventually learned to accept and is now using as motivation as he tries to get back in the mix of things.
“It was hard to talk about it for a time. Finding the right words to describe what I was feeling was a challenge. I think that is just how it goes for me after a tough loss. Losing is not new to me, but it is also an opportunity for me to take a step back and try to pick up the pieces,” he said.
“I needed the time off to realize where I went wrong — whether that was in my preparation or in the fight itself. I wanted to know where I had miscalculated. I reviewed every angle, and I really took the time to look at my mistakes,” he added.
Mr. Folayang began his journey back last May in Singapore, defeating previously unbeaten Russian stalwart Kharun Atlangeriev by way of unanimous decision.
It was a victory that he hopes to ride on heading into his next fight later this week and moving forward.
“The last time that I was in Manila, I let everyone down with my performance. It has haunted me ever since. Come this fight, I am coming back for redemption. I am going to war and win it,” said 34-yearold Folayang.
“Lightweight is one of the deepest divisions in ONE Championship, and there are so many great guys all wanting to get to the top. I have to keep winning so I can stay in the mix,” he added.
ONE: Reign of Kings is headlined by the clash for the interim world bantamweight title between two-division champion Nguyen and Filipino Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon.
Co-main event is the lightweight battle between Shinya Aoki of Japan and Shannon Wiratchai of Thailand.
Other Filipinos seeing action are strawweights Joshua Pacio and Rene Catalan against separate opponents. —