Photo from ONE Championship
Eduard Folayang sees compatriot Jomary Torres in a tough predicament against Mei Yamaguchi of Japan in their women’s atomweight bout on Friday.
Folayang thinks Torres will be the underdog against Yamaguchi, who is a former world title contender, when the two meet inside the cage in ONE: Destiny of Champions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“Skill-wise, ground and striking, I think Yamaguchi has the advantage. Mei has an overwhelming advantage on the ground. Her level in grappling is very high,” Folayang, the newly-crowned ONE lightweight champion, said. “I think she can even get a submission if she wants to. If Torres can overpower Mei, then she could win this bout. We’ll see what happens.”
“Mei can get that knockout, and that’s possible. We want Torres to win, but she’s truly the underdog in this bout,” Folayang stated. “Mei is far ahead when it comes to experience. Torres, on the other hand, has youth on her side.”
Despite giving the advantage to Yamaguchi, Folayang said the Japanese veteran has little room for error against the dangerous Torres.
“Yamaguchi can win using her skills, but she cannot afford to make a mistake against someone like Torres,” he said. “She is very dangerous, and if she sees a finish, I know she will not think twice to get it.”