Folayang promises bounce back from KO loss

 

MANILA, Philippines – Eduard Folayang, who is widely regarded as the face of Philippine mixed martial arts (MMA), remains optimistic he will put himself back on the winning track after suffering an excruciating defeat nearly five months ago.

Folayang (14-5) was brutally knocked out by Russian prospect Timofey Nastyukhin in their lightweight encounter on ONE Championship’s “Warrior’s Way” fight card in Manila last December 5.

Nastyukhin turned the lights off on Folayang with a flying knee and then nailed two soccer kicks on the ground to coerce referee Yuji Shimada to stop the action at 3:11 of the first round.

 

Unlike its western equal Ultimate Fighting Championship, ONE uses the international rule-set, which blends a combination of the best combat practices from all over the globe, permitting soccer kicks, stomps to the body and legs, and knee-strikes to a standing or grounded opponent.

The knockout loss completely derailed Folayang’s opportunity to challenge Shinya Aoki for the ONE lightweight championship as he had compiled two-straight impressive wins, including a dominant performance against former titleholder Kotetsu Boku in May 2014.

“Well, that’s life. Even if you work hard for your dreams, there are still setbacks along the way. The lesson that I learned from that loss is how to redeem myself and how to get back to that level where I can fight again for the title and surely bring home the championship belt,” Folayang told Rappler.

Folayang, who started his professional MMA career under the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC) banner in 2007 after representing the Philippines in several international Wushu competitions, is not new to a knockout setback as he was finished in three of his five losses.

In November 2009, it only took 8 seconds for Guamanian standout Jon Tuck to beat Folayang by landing a right straight on the Filipino fighter’s chin.

 

His second knockout defeat came in the hands of Lowen Tynanes, who was relatively unknown when he locked horns with Folayang at URCC’s tenth anniversary event in December 2012.

Tynanes, who is a highly-touted wrestler in the sport, immediately took the fight on the mat and exposed Folayang’s weakness.

One swipe of an elbow from Tynanes opened a huge cut on Folayang’s right eye as blood smeared all over his face, prompting referee Joey Lepiten to halt the contest early in the first round upon doctor’s recommendation.

 

The third one occurred versus Nastyukhin, who got the job done by rendering Folayang unconscious with a flying knee and two follow-up soccer kicks to the temple.

Even though many observers are clamoring for the move’s removal from the ONE rule-set, Folayang stressed that he is not against soccer kicks even if he has fallen victim to it.

“ONE FC made the rule. They are the ones who set the rule. My opponent had the chance to use it against me. It taught me to be careful next time,” he stated.

When asked if he will resort to soccer kicks in his next fights if given the chance, Folayang replied, “Yes.”

With the sole intention of reinserting his name in the title talks, the 5-foot-9 native of Baguio City disclosed that he aims to have at least two matches this year.

“I really want to fight again. Hopefully, I can grab two to three fights this year. I will accept any fight even if it will take place overseas,” said Folayang, who has not fought on foreign soil since he yielded to Filipino-Danish kickboxer Ole Laursen via split decision in March 2012. – Rappler.com