SINGAPORE — The loss to Martin Nguyen back in November made Eduard Folayang a changed man.
Folayang, who’s been out of action for almost six months, will return to the ONE cage on Friday to take on Kharun Atlangeriev in the Unstoppable Dreams card at Singapore Indoor Stadium in a fight where he would be more calculated this time around.
“I will be more careful but that won’t mean I won’t be impressive because the aggressiveness is still there,” said Folayang, the former ONE lightweight champion, Tuesday at Mercure Singapore Bugis. “My team and I will still look at the possible attacks that will be the most effective for me come fight night.”
Folayang went on a relentless striking spree against Shinya Aoki back in November of 2016 to win the lightweight belt and he employed a similar tactic when he fought Nguyen a year later.
Eduard Folayang. Photo by Bong Lozada/INQUIRER.net
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The legendary Team Lakay member went for a spinning back kick but Nguyen clocked him with a well-timed overhand right that knocked him out cold at the 2:20 mark of the second round.
ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong said Folayang (18-6) will likely get another title shot if he scores an impressive win over Atlangeriev (11-0).
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“The title is just there… and of course I want to win this fight,” said Folayang. “If I win then I will have a chance to ask for the title fight.”