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MANILA, Philippines – Although three Filipino fighters had already been slated for ONE FC: Warrior’s Way on December 5, Asia’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) organization has added four more Pinoy combatants to the fight card.
Philippine MMA frontrunner Eduard Folayang squares off with Russia’s Timofey Nastyukhin in a three-round lightweight tussle, while former boxing world champion Ana Julaton battles Egyptian kickboxer Walaa Abbas in a flyweight showdown.
After suffering two-straight disappointing setbacks in the hands of Lowen Tynanes and Kamal Shalorus, Folayang (14-4) put the shimmer back in his prizefighting career by convincingly outpointing Vincent Latoel in December 2013 and one-time ONE FC lightweight titlist Kotetsu Boku this past May.
Another decisive victory may earn Folayang an opportunity to challenge Shinya Aoki for the 155-pound weight class’ top prize.
The 29-year-old Team Lakay representative has faced and beaten top lightweights in Asia with the likes of Vuyisile Colossa, A Sol Kwon, Felipe Enomoto and Boku.
Meanwhile, Nastyukhin (7-1) has never been defeated since yielding to Magomedsaigi Guseinov via submission under the Siberian League banner in April 2010.
The 5-foot-7 Russian is recognized for his aggressive fighting style, finishing 7 of his last 8 opponents by first-round stoppage.
On the other hand, Julaton (1-1) made a successful transition from boxing to MMA in May at ONE FC: Rise of Heroes, where she stopped Aya Saeid Saber via third-round technical knockout.
However, the 34-year-old Julaton failed to double the feat of her successful MMA debut as she bowed down to Ann Osman by split decision at ONE FC: Reign of Champions in August.
The woman standing in her re-entry to the winner’s column is Abbas (2-1), who has won two outings in a row by knockout.
Aside from Folayang and Julaton, the other two homegrown talents that will represent the country at ONE FC: Warrior’s Way are Jujeath Nagaowa and Rene Catalan.
Nagaowa (1-0) locks horns with Cambodian atomweight Tharoth Sam (2-0), while Catalan (0-1) meets veteran Muay Thai practitioner Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke (3-0) in a three-round flyweight match.
ONE FC: Warrior’s way, which takes place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, is headlined by a bantamweight championship clash between current titleholder Bibiano Fernandes and Dae Hwan Kim.
Filipinos Kevin Belingon and Honorio Banario were earlier scheduled to fight separate opponents in the event.
In the co-main event, Filipino-American stalwart Brandon Vera fights Igor Subora in his first ONE Fighting Championship appearance. – Rappler.com
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