Filipino MMA champs to be feted at PSA Awards

FILE PHOTO – Eduard Folayang during the 2017 Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Eduard Folayang, the two-time ONE world lightweight champion, leads five Filipino MMA stars set to be honored during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night on Tuesday at Manila Hotel.

ONE heavyweight king Brandon Vera, bantamweight titleholder Kevin Belingon and former world champions Joshua Pacio and Geje Eustaquio are the other awardees joining Folayang.

“It’s an honor definitely,” Folayang said.

“It’s always a blessing to be in this position and be recognized for what we do. We hope that through this, we will continue to inspire others.”

The 35-year-old Folayang regained the lightweight belt after beating Amir Khan unanimous decision three months ago in ONE: Conquest of Champions while Vera successfully defended the heavyweight crown after knocking out Mauro Cerilli in the first round on the same card.

Belingon, meanwhile, evened things out with Brazilian legend Bibiano Fernandes in their rematch to win the bantamweight strap also three months ago.

Pacio and Eustaquio also became world champions last year before yielding their titles last month.

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, skateboarder Margielyn Didal, and golfers Yuka Saso, Bianca Pagdanganan, and Lois Kaye Go, who all won gold medals in the 2018 Asian Games will be awarded with the coveted Athlete of the Year trophies.