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Friday, March 29, 2024

Folayang undaunted as he takes on new challenger in Manila

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Former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang is determined to put on a spectacular show for Filipino fans in Manila on 31 January, regardless of who he is up against.

The Filipino superstar was scheduled to face Ahmed “Wolverine” Mujtaba at ONE: FIRE & FURY, but he will now face Pieter “The Archangel” Buist of the Netherlands at the Mall Of Asia Arena instead.

Folayang is currently in deep training for his first match this year and has been preparing intensely.

“The changes were unexpected but that is the sport. There are always unexpected things. Of course, the motivation is there, it does not change regardless of who we’re up against,” Folayang said. 

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“I have competed against the best the division has to offer. We have intense training sessions and our focus is always there because I want to get my belt back. There are adjustments because he’s a new opponent, but I am confident that me and my team can figure this out the right way.”

Previously expecting to have a battle against Mujtaba, Folayang has to adjust for Buist’s lethal striking.

On top of that, “Landslide” might also need to shuffle his sparring partners as he will be heading into his showdown with his Dutch counterpart facing a height and reach disadvantage.

“He’s a talented athlete, we can see it in his record and his fights. There are a lot of things we need to look at during training sessions – and he’ll have a height and reach advantage as well. We have to adjust and study his strengths and weaknesses,” Folayang said.

“I have to find a way to close the distance and utilize his weakness. It might be challenging but this is where our ability to adjust will be tested. I have to show my flexibility as a professional athlete.”

Nevertheless, regardless of who is in front of Folayang, there is one thing that will not change in him.

“I will do my best to win. It won’t be easy to reach the top once more, but I am willing to face any obstacle that I’ll tackle along the way,” Folayang said. 

“Regardless of my opponent, expect the best Eduard Folayang on January 31.”  

Folayang and Buist will leave it all on the line at ONE: FIRE & FURY on 31 January at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. 

Watch the event live and dine with your ONE Championship heroes in the ‘Boodle Feast VIP package,’ which includes two tickets for the event and an access for two to the Boodle Feast on 29 January at the City of Dreams.

Catch all the action for free by downloading the ONE Super App.

Download the ONE Super App to catch all the action live for free. 

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