BAGUIO CITY — Former two-time ONE lightweight king Eduard Folayang wants to end the year with a bang and end a two-game losing skid.
“It’s all about redemption,” said the 34-year old Team Lakay stalwart, probably the country’s most recognizable mixed martial arts fighter.
Folayang is set to face Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu at ONE Championship: Masters of Fate on Nov. 8 as an undercard to stablemate Joshua Pacio who is set to defend his strawweight title against Filipino Rene Catalan.
Folayang told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that “a lot is in store” especially that he seeks redemption after back to back losses to Shinya Aoki and Eddie Alvarez earlier this year.
“(I am) preparing well and making sure that the game plan will be implemented accurately,” the three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist said.
Folayang lost the lightweight title to Aoki last March 31 in what could be a conclusion of their trilogy.
Then he lost to Alvarez in the first round after dominating the early part of the round last August 2.
It was also Folayang’s second back-to-back to loss after his defeat to Lowens Tynanes on Dec. 1, 2012, in the rival URCC, which was followed with a close loss to Khamal Shalarus in the One: Rise to Power on May 31, 2013.
Tsogookhuu is a 29-year-old fighter from the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar who has earned half of his professional victories by knockout.
Known as the “Spear”, he is more than just a stand-up specialist when he beat Shannon “OneShin” Wiratchai in the Thai hero’s hometown of Bangkok.
Folayang returns against a tough opponent hoping to find his winning form anew like last year when he wrested back the title against Amir Khan in front of his Filipino fans.
In the Mall of Asia Arena fight next week, Folayang hopes to give the Filipino fans an early Christmas present — a win.
In an interview, Folayang was quoted as saying that he is focused on a “mindset as I had even during my winning run last year.”
“We’re coming off back-to back-losses, so it’s important for me to get a win back in order to finish the year strong. I want to give the fans a terrific performance for my last bout of the year,” he added. (PNA)
