Shinya Aoki celebrates his latest victory over Eduard Folayang. ONE CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Eduard Folayang is not expecting his rivalry with Shinya Aoki to come to an end soon.
After a disappointing submission loss in their third fight, Folayang believes that he and the Japanese legend will square up for one more match.
Then maybe another.
“I think until Shinya and I are here, we will eventually meet one way or another,” said Folayang in Filipino after his submission loss to Aoki in ONE on TNT IV on Thursday. “I think this will go to Game 5, he’s up 2-1 now but we’ll get back the remaining fights.”
Aoki (47-9) secured top position against Folayang in the second minute of their lightweight bout at Singapore Indoor Stadium and that allowed Tobikan Judan to work the arm out and ultimately isolate it for the arm bar.
Folayang eventually tapped 4:20 into the round.
.@efolayang’s post-match interview with @mitchchilson. #ONEonTNT4
🎥@ONEChampionship | @sonrdINQ pic.twitter.com/6l7UKQSXLr— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 29, 2021
But Folayang (22-11) is not looking to hang his gloves up and instead is eager to bounce back from the loss after he saw himself in Aoki when the Team Evolve veteran recovered from his loss during their first fight in 2016.
Folayang dominated Aoki to start his first reign as ONE lightweight champion in November 2016 but the former Pride and Shooto competitor worked to get back to the title picture winning three straight fights, after a first round loss to Ben Askren, to set up his rematch with the Filipino icon—a fight that he won via first round submission.
“This is the essence of the sport, it teaches us not to give up but to persevere,” said Folayang. “Should this failure make me stop but the greatness within me is greater. I just really need the perfect time to unleash that greatness. Maybe in the future they’ll see me rise again.”