Former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang outpoints formerly unbeaten Russian sambo champion Kharun Atlangeriev at ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS on Friday to make a successful return inside the cage.
The Team Lakay star combined a healthy mixture of strikes and defense against being taken to the floor to earn the decisive a decisive unanimous decision victory over the previously unbeaten rising star and push himself back to relevancy for a shot at the title he lost.
In the opening round, Folayang attacked the Russian with fierce striking and inflicted damage to Atlangeriev whenever the fight is taken to the ground.
Atlangeriev, however, did powered his way out of a bad position near the end of the first round and landed a few shots of his own.
It turned out that was Atlangeriev can muster on this night as Folayang took over as soon as the second round bell rang.
The Landslide became precise with his strikes and his aims founded their target, whether it was using his legs or his fists.
At the same time, his defense against the takedown become even more brilliant as he always found a way to remain on his feet each time Atlangeriev attempted a takedown.
Folayang maintained control of the action in the third by using his signature kicks to keep Atlangeriev at bay, often surprising the tiring Russian with kicks.
When action was done after three rounds, all judges nodded to award him the victory and a chance to jump back into the title picture for the ONE Lightweight World Championship.
With the win, Folayang hikes his career record to 19-6 while handing the ONE Championship debutant Atlangeriev his first loss in twelve fights. It was also only the second fight of Atlangeriev that went the full distance.
The fight was The Landslide’s first since going down by a brutal knockout against Martin Nguyen late last year that cost him his lightweight crown.
By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS
