Kamal “Prince of Persia” Shalorus dealt Eduard “Landslide” Folayang a defeat in the Filipino mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar’s promotional debut nearly four years ago. He is now raring to seek a rematch to repeat and snatch the lightweight strap.
Shalorus utilized his wrestling background efficiently against Folayang to get the unanimous nod from the three judges when both men squared off against each other inside the jam-packed 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena, serving as one of the featured attractions of ONE: RISE TO POWER in May, 2013.
Since their grueling three-round lightweight contest, Shalorus and Folayang have never faced each other again. Moreover, a lot of things have changed in their respective professional MMA careers.
Shalorus decided to have a time off as a prizefighter after yielding to Shinya Aoki for the ONE Lightweight World Championship belt via first-round submission in August 2014.
Meanwhile, Folayang reinvent himself by transitioning from a pure striker to an all-around MMA fighter and won five of his last six ONE Championship outings since his defeat to Shalorus, including a shocking third-round stoppage victory over Aoki last November to take over the crown Shalorus yielded as well as the top draw of the division.
As seen in his last three bouts in ONE Championship, Folayang displayed on-point sprawls and his ability to sinuously execute sweeps and guards, as well as his sturdy top control on the mat.
With the Landslide now ONE Championship’s king at lightweight, Shalorus seeks to cross paths with the famous Team Lakay representative again.
“A lot of things have changed. The division had a major facelift. There are more talented fighters in the division right now. Aside from all of that, lightweight has a new champion,” he stated.
“Eduard and I had a history. We fought before in ONE Championship. I hope we can meet again, but this time it’s for the title,” Shalorus added.
Shalorus admitted that he is fully aware of the 33-year-old Baguio City native’s recent career resurgence.
“Eduard has improved greatly. He has now a good takedown defense and has exhibited good control on the mat. He is more of a complete fighter,” Shalorus said of Folayang.
The 39-year-old Iranian veteran believed that a win in his last fight will be the first step in securing a rematch with Folayang but had his wishes derailed.
After almost three years sitting on the sidelines, Shalorus returned to the ONE Championship cage last February 10 at the 12,000-capacity Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia only to fall againsy Malaysian-Kiwi standout Ev Ting in the main event of ONE: THRONE OF TIGERS.
His loss to Ting in this bout definitely stung his chances of getting his wish of a rematch with the Landslide.
Shalorus sees a much tougher encounter with Folayang if ever he will get the chance to have a rematch with the reigning ONE Lightweight World Champion. However, he is confident that he will have his hand raised against his Filipino rival once more.
“I believe it will be more difficult because he has showed improvement. Eduard has now a good ground game and more intelligent. But I know I can still win against him,” he ended.
He first has to recover from his latest defeat before he could even realistically be given a chance to fight for a title.
By: ARMANDO BOLISLIS With PRESS RELEASE reports from ONE Championship.