Eduard “Landslide” Folayang has been with ONE Championship since its inception in 2011, but this year’s Kings of Destiny marks the first time that he top bill a live event of the organization in the Philippines.
The 33-year-old Team Lakay sensation will put his lightweight title on the line against with Malaysian-Kiwi sensation Ev “E.T.” Ting in the main event of ONE: Kings Of Destiny, the organization’s tenth blockbuster show on Philippine shores, on April 21, 2017 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
For the record, Folayang has previously headlined two events under the ONE Championship banner.
Folayang competed in the headliner of ONE Championship’s inaugural card, ONE FC: Champion vs Champion, where he got his ninth win via a unanimous decision victory over Korean veteran A-Sol Kwon in September 3, 2011.
Five years later, Folayang made his second top billing trip in ONE: DEFENDING HONOR and trounced Japanese MMA legend Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki for the ONE Lightweight World Championship title to cement his unofficial title of being the universally face of the Philippine MMA.
His match with Ting would be his first defense of the crown.
Folayang stressed that he considers it as a privilege to be in the main event of this card. “It’s my first time to be in the main event of ONE Championship’s card in the Philippines. I know that it’s a big responsibility, but I am humbled and privileged to be in this position,” he said.
Folayang admitted that he is so motivated for his upcoming title defense as he will be fighting in front of a partisan Manila crowd for the first time in nearly three years.
“It’s going to be awesome. I love my country, and I love the Filipino people and all the MMA fans. I can’t wait to get back in there and defend our home turf. By the grace of God, I will emerge victorious,” he stated.
Folayang realizes that to be successful against Ting, he has to make sure he comes in at his absolute best.
“I know the stakes. I know what’s riding on this fight. Ev Ting is coming for my belt. He’s coming to take what I’ve worked so hard for my entire career. There is no way I’m just going to let him take it. It’s not going to be easy, that’s for sure,” Folayang shared.
Morevore, Folayang believes that his extra experience in the weight class will give him the advantage with Ting recently making the move up from featherweight to lightweight.
“My main advantage over him is my experience as a fighter, especially in the lightweight division. We all know that Ev Ting came from the featherweight division, so I’m more used to fighting in this division,” he said.
Although he may have a friendly and boyish demeanor outside the battleground, Folayang made it clear that inside the cage, it is all business.
“When I enter that cage, my entire mindset changes. The time for being nice and playing games is over. Once that cage door closes, my focus shifts entirely to battle. It’s different because it’s just like taking final exams. If I don’t take it seriously, I myself will fail. Only one guy gets to walk out of the cage a winner, so I make sure that guy is me,” he concluded.
By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS