Fighters face off ahead of stacked ONE fight card in Singapore

Eduard Folayang vs Shinya Aoki face off. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

SINGAPORE — Eduard Folayang and Shinya Aoki stared each other down for the last time before they go at it in the main event for the ONE lightweight title on Friday.

Few words were spoken as the two stood side by side during the ONE: Defending Honor Official Face-off.

After all the hype and buildup in leading up to the championship bout, no words are needed as the two are letting their fight speak for itself.

READ: ONE FC: Folayang primed for ‘make or break’ fight vs Aoki

“I’m 99.9 percent ready,” the soft-spoken Folayang told reporters with a smile backstage before the event started.

In the co-featured fight, Marat Gafurov of Russia stakes his featherweight belt against Narantungalag Jadambaa of Mongolia in a rematch while Timofey Nastyukhin and Kotetsu Boku collide in what is also expected to be an explosive encounter.

Seasoned fighters Roger Huerta and Adrian Pang also mix it up in the cage.

READ: Folayang eyes ‘legend’ status vs Aoki

Adding more flavor to the stacked fight card are Singaporeans Amir Khan, Benedict Ang, Tiffany Teo and Nico Soe all eyeing to make a mark in their respective fights.

Khan, who is taking on late replacement Vaughn Donayre, the other Filipino in the event, is aiming to finish off the Cebuano native quickly.

“First round victory. I want to end the fight early,” said Khan to the delight of the hometown crowd at Clark Quay.

READ: Victor Cui: Folayang-Aoki match ‘a legitimate super fight’

Brazilian Michelle Nicollini will also take the stage against Mona Samir in the strawweight class.