Eduard Folayang lands a kick to the body against Shinya Aoki during their title fight in the main even of ONE: Defending Honor Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore. Folayang won the fight early in the third round to seize the lightweight title. Photo from ONE Championship
Some are underdogs, some are deemed to have no chance of winning at all.
Eduard Folayang was written off long before the opening bell rang for his championship fight with Shinya Aoki.
It’s the Filipino star with a shaky ground game seeking his first world title against a Japanese legend and one of the best submission artists in the game. It was considered a mismatch.
“I came into the championship fight with millions of people expecting me to lose in the first round,” Folayang said in Filipino. “But I didn’t think about it. I just want to make it a point that I will do whatever it takes that even if I end up losing the fight, I’m sure I’m going to be at peace.”
Just 22 seconds into the fight, Folayang was already in a position he couldn’t afford to be in — on his back and Aoki in control. Folayang was taken to the ground thrice in the first five minutes and his doubters suddenly looked like experts.
But what was overlooked during that stretch was Folayang found his way out from a situation where only few escaped. Twice, he slithered out from under Aoki and he did it again in the second round. It was an indication that Folayang could survive but still, only he knew he could win it.
And he did so in spectacular fashion. A perfectly timed knee to the face was the beginning of the end for Aoki and the series of punches to the head were the finishing touches. Folayang pulled off the upset just 41 seconds into the third round in a fight where many didn’t even see him past the first round.
READ: Worth the wait: Folayang cops ONE lightweight title, stops Aoki
“Sweeter than honey,” said Folayang shortly after his victory with the ONE lightweight belt dangling over his left shoulder.
“I know people don’t believe that I can make it especially since I’m facing a legend. They encourage me and say I can do it but deep inside they know I’m at a disadvantage against my opponent, but you should just keep on believing in yourself and that God is there to strengthen you.”
Facing his greatest challenge yet, Folayang took down a legend and silenced his critics.
Folayang was told he couldn’t do it. He started his Friday night a heavy underdog. But he ended it at the center of the cage, pumping his fists in the air and finally, a world champion.