Eduard Folayang kicks John Wayne Parr during their Muay Thai bout at ONE X in Singapore. Photo from ONE Championship
SINGAPORE–Team Lakay’s Eduard Folayang denied Australian legend John Wayne Parr his 100th victory and a fitting farewell, ruling their lightweight Muay Thai bout on Saturday at ONE X at Singapore Stadium here.
Folayang, a Filipino wushu expert before making a name in mixed martial arts, scored the unanimous decision win to send off Parr, considered one of the best Muay Thai fighters in history, into retirement.
“John Wayne Parr’s retirement fight is privilege and the privilege is mine,” said Folayang, who snapped a personal losing streak after four straight losses in MMA, after the match dubbed “wushu vs. Muay Thai legends fight.”
The Filipino fighter, who made is Muay Thai debut, peppered Parr with his patented strikes right off the bat and staggered Parr in second round with a solid punch as he dominated the entire match.
Parr gave it a final push in his final fight, sending a knee to Folayang’s face late in the match but Folayang simply did more to hold on to the victory.
The 45-year-old Parr will hang up is gloves with a record of 99-35-1 in Muay Thai and kickboxing.
Folayang was the last Filipino fighter to take the ONE circle during the promotion’s 10th anniversary–which featured 20 fights–and the second Team Lakay member to win.
Earlier, Stephen Loman also scored a unanimous decision win over Shoko Sato in their bantamweight contest. Lito Adiwang, meanwhile, absorbed a technical knockout after injuring his knee.