Folayang, dedepensa ng ONE title sa MOA

IDEDEPENSA ni Philippine local mixed martial arts hero Eduard Folayang ang kanyang ONE world lightweight title kontra sa bagong featherweight champion na si Martin Nguyen sa main event ng ONE: Legends of the World sa Nobyembre 10 sa MOA Arena.

Ito ang ikalawang sunod na pagdepensa ni Folayang sa titulo sa harap ng mga kababayan matapos magapi si EV Ting sa kanyang unang pagdepensa noong Abril. Nakuha ng pambato ng Team Lakay ang korona nang gapiin ang matikas na Japanese legend na si Shinya Aoki sa nakalipas na taon.

Tangan ang 18-5 karta, target din ni Folayang na makopo ang ikaapat na sunod na panalo laban sa matikas na Australian fighter.

“As a martial artist, I am constantly in search of the biggest challenges, the biggest tests of my skills. As champion, I welcome any and all challengers. Martin [Nguyen] is one of the best in the world and it is an honor to share the One Championship cage with him,” pahayag ni Folayang.

“This is a bout for the fans, and I can’t wait to perform in front of my hometown crowd in Manila once again. I have complete respect for my opponent’s skills and together with my brothers at Team Lakay, my coach Mark Sangiao, I’m preparing to showcase the best version of Eduard Folayang on November 10,” aniya.

Sakaling magwagi, mapatitibay ni Folayang ang dominasyon sa naturang dibisyon. Ngunit, inaasahag mapapalaban siya ng todo kay Nguyen.

Naitala ni Nguyen ang ikalimang sunond na panalo para sa 9-1 karta. Nitong Agosto, napaghiganti niya ang tanging kabiguan atamo nang pabagsakin at agawan ng korona si featherweight king Marat Gafurov.

“New Year will be coming early this year, because in this fight there will definitely be fireworks. I’m out not only to make a statement, but to go down in history as the best to ever compete under the One Championship banner,” pahayag ni Nguyen.

“I have the utmost respect for the lightweight champion, and will definitely not take his skills for granted. But this is going to be a dog fight. It’s the first time two champions in different divisions go head-to-head in One, and I am excited to give the performance of a lifetime.”