Folayang working on ground game, striking as he awaits next fight

ONE Championship: Kings of Destiny at Mall of Asia Arena last April 21. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

JAKARTA — There’s no rest for the weary.

And if you’re like Eduard Folayang, whose target on his back is bigger than ever, there is no excuse to stop training.

“As a fighter, you really need to continue training because if you don’t, tables are quick to turn on you,” he said.

The reigning ONE Lightweight champion is in Indonesia to support fellow Team Lakay member Geje Eustaquio, who is set to face Kairat Akhmetov in the main event of ONE: Total Victory on Saturday at Jakarta Convention Center here.

Though limited to a cornerman for the big fightcard, the Ifugao warrior shared that he’s still keeping his body in top shape as he waits for his next fight.

He’s also improving some facets of his game in the process, focusing more on his ground game and sharpening his striking.

“Striking is so hard to perfect because you have to consider lots of things, especially the timing and the execution. And for the strikes, as much as possible, I want to have precise shots when I fight. I really have to give time to those so that I can further improve my capabilities,” he said.

Though still in limbo on who to defend his title next, Folayang assured everyone that he will be in action in November when ONE Championship returns to Manila.

“For sure, I will fight there,” he said.