Talk to ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang for even a moment, and you’ll find a true ambassador for the promotion and mixed martial arts. Watch Folayang in the cage, and you’ll understand why he’s the champion.
“When I enter that cage, my entire mindset changes,” said the 33-year-old. “The time for being nice and playing games is over. Once that cage door closes, my focus shifts entirely to battle. Only one guy gets to walk out of the cage a winner, so I make sure that guy is me.”
These are the two faces of Folayang. Well-spoken in street clothes. Relentless in four-ounce gloves. If you listen closely, there’s almost a sense of remorse in the champ that there can only be one winner, and that the loser has to take a loss through physical punishment.
“I do pray for my opponent’s health and safety before we enter the cage, though. This is a platform where we can showcase our talent, skills, and preparation. At the end of the day, our health and safety after the fight [takes] priority,” says Folayang.
These are not the typical words one would expect to come from a man who has finished nearly half of his fights via knockout or submission.
The Team Lakay fighter has had plenty of time to pray for the health and safety of his next opponent. “Landslide” meets Ev “E.T.” Ting in the main event OF ONE: KINGS OF DESTINY on 21 April at the Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines.
Owning a 13-3 record, Ting is a formidable opponent, but don’t expect the champion to roll over and relinquish the lightweight strap in the face of top competition.
“I know the stakes. I know what’s riding on this fight. Ev (Ting) is coming for my belt, he’s coming to take what I’ve worked so hard for my entire career. There is no way I’m just going to let him take it. It’s not going to be easy, that’s for sure,” said Folayang.
To stack the deck and increase the chances of a successful title defense, Folayng won’t be bringing Eduard to the cage. Ting, like the other men downed by Folayang’s hands, will be introduced to the “Landslide.”
“Outside the cage, I don’t know Ev (Ting) personally, but I think he is a stand-up individual. Once we step inside those steel doors, however, it’s time for ‘Landslide’ to take over. I put everything into my performance. All the months of hard work and sacrifice boils down to just one night, so I have to make it count,” said the champion.
It’s a well earned moniker Folayang earned in 2007 after defeating a champion of the promotion he previously fought for.
“It perfectly describes how I am as a fighter whenever I step onto the battlefield — fearfully and wonderfully made by God,” said Folayang of his nickname. “I’m a force of nature, and I’m the ONE Lightweight World Champion.”
Folayang has some added motivation for this bout — he’ll be fighting in his home country, defending his new title for the first time in front of a partisan Manila crowd.
“It’s going to be awesome. I love my country, and I love the Filipino people and all the MMA fans. I can’t wait to get back in there and defend our home turf. By the grace of God, I will emerge victorious,” Folayang concluded.
