Eduard Folayang. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Eduard Folayang is nearly three months back at the top of ONE Championship’s lightweight division and his first defense is against the man that he beat to get to that golden pedestal.
The Philippines’ mixed martial arts icon will defend his ONE World lightweight title against Shinya Aoki in ONE: A New Era in a rematch more than two years in the making in a country his opponent deeply understand—Japan.
Despite facing a whole nation in support of Aoki, Folayang is unfazed with the forthcoming atmosphere since he knows his win over his Japanese foe back in 2016 is still in the air.
Folayang (21-6) said his devastation of Aoki (42-8) in their first fight on Nov. 11, 2016 at Singapore Indoor Stadium left a lasting effect that would still be felt come their rematch on March 31 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
“What I will do is train hard because he knows I’m ready for this fight and that alone has a psychological effect on him,” said Folayang in Filipino Thursday at Gloria Maris in Gateway for Team Lakay’s media lunch.
https://web.facebook.com/inquirersports/videos/636636650124987/
“I’ll go there looking for war. I think once he feels fear, it’s in him on how he’ll react.”
Folayang annihilated Aoki in their first fight, taking the title via technical knockout after referee Yuji Shimada stopped the fight 41 seconds into the third round.
The 35-year-old Folayang made one successful defense of his title against Ev Ting, pulling off a unanimous decision but lost in his next fight via a stunning knockout against Martin Nguyen a day before he got to celebrate the anniversary of his victory against Aoki.
Since the loss, Folayang racked up three straight wins all ending in convincing decisions. In the last one against Amir Khan, the Landslide pummeled the Singaporean for five rounds to regain the belt.
Folayang also added that he’s traveling to Japan not only as a fighter but as a citizen of the Philippines—a country he vowed to represent in the best way possible.
“As a citizen of this country I have to do my part because this is the area I’ve excelled at and I will show to the world that the Filipinos can excel in this area,” said Folayang. “This is a very big thing for me because I’m not just carrying myself but I’m carrying all the people.”
“It gives me a lot of pride and motivation representing the people around me and of course all my countrymen.”