Folayang eyes ‘legend’ status vs Aoki

Eduard Folayang of Team Lakay shows his fighting stance as he gears up against defending champion Shinya Aoki on November 11 for the One Championship lightweight title at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. INQUIRER PHOTO BY EV ESPIRITU/@eespirituINQ

Eduard “Landslide” Folayang knows that to be one of the greats, he has to beat the best.

Pitted against the high caliber fighter in Shinya Aoki in the main event of ONE: Defending Honor set on Friday in Singapore, Folayang is facing his greatest battle yet.

READ: Folayang gets title shot vs Asian ‘legend’ after long wait

“Aoki is a legend in mixed martial arts and beating him will also make me a legend,” said the Baguio City native. “That will be a great motivation for me.”

A heavy underdog, the 31-year-old Folayang is determined to defy the odds.

READ: ‘I’m ready’: Folayang going all out in bid for ONE title

“I want to get that belt. I’ve worked my ass off for that belt. I believe even legends fall. I believe this is my time. When that time comes I will be the next legend,” Folayang, a champion in the URCC who is in his first title fight with ONE, said.

“Some people think that I cannot beat Aoki but I believe in myself. This is a great opportunity for me to show them that they are wrong.”