ONE: Eduard Folayang suffers split decision loss to Dutch fighter

Eduard Folayang against Netherlands’ Pieter Buist in ONE: Fire & Fury. INQUIRER PHOTO/TRISTAN TAMAYO

MANILA, Philippines—Eduard Folayang suffered a stunning split decision loss to the Netherlands’ Pieter Buist in the co-main event of ONE: Fire and Fury Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The loss marked Folayang’s third defeat in his last four matches while Buist tallied his seventh straight victory.

Buist (15-4), who had a distinct four-inch height advantage, kept his distance well against Folayang, landing stiff head kicks to the Filipino’s way.

The Dutch fighter connected on a cracking right head kick that nearly knocked Folayang out in the first but the former two-time ONE World lightweight champion was able to score a takedown and maintain control until the end of the round.

Folayang (22-9) was then nearly locked in an arm triangle midway through the second before he transitioned into dominant position at the end of the second.

The third round then once saw Buist land his booming kicks that put Folayang on the defensive.

A single leg take down with less than 30 seconds left nearly gave Folayang reprieve but the damage Buist gave him was too big of a deal for two of the judges.