Folayang, asam muling maging kampeon
MAY angas pa si Filipino martial arts veteran Eduard ‘The Landslide’ Folayang. At sisimulan niya ang kampanyang muling makaakyat sa title fight.
Target ng two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion na muling makaarangkada mula nang matamo ang kabiguan kay Shinya Aoki via first-round submission sa ONE: A NEW ERA sa nakalipas na taon.
“2019 has been an absolute roller coaster ride for me,” pahayag ni Folayang. “I started the year off as champion but fell short of victory against Shinya [Aoki] in Tokyo. That’s a loss that I learned a lot from and it was a very tough experience to deal with. I can honestly say however that I am a much better martial artist because of it.”
Bukod sa laban sa maalamat na si Aoki, nakakuha ng tsansa si Folayang kontra multiple-time lightweight champion Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez, isa sa kinikilalang fighter sa mundo ng MMA.
Nagawang malamangan ni Folayang si Alvarez sa kaagahan ng laban, ngunit matikas itong nakabawi tungo sa come-from-behind win. Naitala ng
American ang rear-naked choke tungo sa panalo na nagbigay sa kanya ng slots para sa ONE Lightweight Grand Prix Championship Final.
Isinuko nuya ang titulo bunsod ng injury.
“After facing Eddie Alvarez of course, it was another learning experience for me,” sambit ni Folayang.
“Being able to face one of the best fighters in the world, who is a former UFC and Bellator World Champion, it was a huge honor. I feel like I was winning that fight, and then one mistake and I’m on the losing end. I won’t make that same mistake again next time.”
Iginiit ni Folayang na kailangan niyang simulan ang kampanya sa bagong taon sa hindi maikakalimutang laban. Nakatakda niyang makasagupa si Pakistan’s Ahmed “The Wolverine” Mujtaba sa ONE: FIRE & FURY sa Enero 31 sa of Asia Arena in Manila.
“As a martial artist, I’m always learning and growing. I still feel like I’m at the top of my division, and I want to get back in contention in 2020. The lightweight division is one of the toughest in ONE Championship, and I want to reclaim the title again for my Filipino fans. I’m hungry as ever for victory. I will be back on top. It’s all about that mindset. With the help of God, I’ll be champion again,” aniya.