Folayang starts climb back on top in Singapore
SINGAPORE remains one of the most memorable places for Eduard Folayang.
For one, Folayang made history in 2016 when he defeated Shinya Aoki for the ONE Championship lightweight world title at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The manner by which Folayang beat a high-profile competitor like Aoki shocked the world because the latter has long been considered as the most dominant lightweight mixed martial artist in the Asian region for the better part of the last decade.
Folaya ng will be setting foot on Singa porean soil once more as he is set to lock horns with undefeated Russian prospect Kharun Atlangeriev on the undercard of ONE: Unstoppable Dreams on May 18.
“Singapore is where I won the title. I was the underdog in that title bout against Shinya Aoki, but I managed to pull off the upset win. It was so memorable. The country will always be dear to my heart,” he said.
Going back to the Singapore Indoor Stadium where he won the ONE lightweight world championship belt, Folayang feels elated to strut his wares in Singapore again.
“Singapore is an awesome country. The venue is so awesome. It’s truly world-class. The energy is palpable. I won’t say it’s my home court, but it gives me the motivation and inspiration because it is
the place where I became the champion,” he stated.
Now set to return to the ONE Championship cage in Singapore, Folayang is slated to square off with Atlangeriev with the intention of putting himself back in the world title picture.
Six months ago, Folayang suffered an excruciating setback at the hands of ONE featherweight world champion Martin Nguyen.
After an exciting first round, Nguyen uncorked his signature overhand right at Folayang, who attempted deliver a spinning back-kick.
The punch connected right on the Team Lakay veteran’s chin, ultimately knocking him out in the second round and costing him his world title.
In the aftermath of his unsuccessful second title defense against Nguyen, Folayang admitted that he did not exactly know what to say or how to address the loss.
“It was hard to talk about it for a time. Finding the right words to describe what I was feeling was a challenge, even for myself,” Folayang said. “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.”
Aside from finding the right words to express himself, Folayang also took an extended break to understand the errors that he made during the lightweight championship contest.
“I needed the time off to realize where I went wrong – whether that was in my preparations 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 disclosed.
Folayang stressed that he needed to relax and ease his mind before he could even think about returning to Team Lakay and resume training for another bout.
“I am a firm believer that this game is mental, first and foremost. After you get your mind right, then you can start to work on the physical aspect of it all. It does not matter how strong you are; if you are not in the right frame of mind, you cannot move forward,” he asserted.
After a muchneeded vacation, the 34-year-old Baguio City native is eyeing a return to the ONE Championship lightweight throne.
“I am more motivated than ever,” he declared. “I am definitely looking forward to what 2018 is going to bring. I am laser-focused, and I am confident that I can get the world title back.”
In his first assignment since relinquishing his possession of the ONE Lightweight World Championship to Nguyen this past November, Folayang crosses paths with Atlangeriev, an unbeaten combatant with a perfect 11-0 record.
Known by the moniker as “The Predator” due to his intense demeanor inside the cage, Atlangeriev has gone the distance just once in his prizefighting stint as ten of his 11 career wins have come by way of finish.