Eddie Alvarez made his second appearance under the ONE Championship banner earlier tonight (Fri. August 2, 2019). “The Underground King” was able to get back into the ONE Lightweight Grand Prix Tournament after an injury dropout, and faced off against Eduard Folayang in the semifinals. Folayang hurt Alvarez early with a body shot, causing Alvarez to […]
Eddie Alvarez made his second appearance under the ONE Championship banner earlier tonight (Fri. August 2, 2019).
“The Underground King” was able to get back into the ONE Lightweight Grand Prix Tournament after an injury dropout, and faced off against Eduard Folayang in the semifinals. Folayang hurt Alvarez early with a body shot, causing Alvarez to fall to the canvas.
However, Alvarez was able to establish control and take Folayang’s back. He locked in the rear-naked choke to earn the first victory of his ONE career, and advance to the finals of the Lightweight Grand Prix.
Make sure to follow along with LowKickMMA’s live coverage of ONE: Dawn Of Heroes at this link here. What did you make of Alvarez’s second appearance under the ONE banner?
Eddie Alvarez was back in the lightweight Grand Prix after a disastrous debut where he was knocked out in the first round. But, luckily enough, there were some injuries that resulted in the former Bellator and UFC champion to get back into the Grand Pr…
Eddie Alvarez was back in the lightweight Grand Prix after a disastrous debut where he was knocked out in the first round. But, luckily enough, there were some injuries that resulted in the former Bellator and UFC champion to get back into the Grand Prix. In the semi-finals, he was taking on Eduard Folayang who […]
Eduard “Landslide” Folayang is honored to defend his ONE Lightweight World Title at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan against legend, Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki, as they headline ONE: A NEW ERA on 31 March. The 35-year-old veteran martial artist is prepared to go all out and deliver the best performance of his career on […]
The 35-year-old veteran martial artist is prepared to go all out and deliver the best performance of his career on ONE Championship’s biggest card yet.
“It is truly an honor and a blessing to compete in the main event of ONE Championship’s inaugural event in Japan,” Folayang said.
“In addition, facing a legend like Shinya Aoki is an honor in front of his hometown crowd no less. I’m excited to face him again in this rematch, and I can only promise to deliver my best performance yet.”
With the whole world fixated on ONE: A NEW ERA, Folayang knows millions across the globe will be watching. The event is without a doubt ONE Championship’s finest to date, with four World Title bouts taking place alongside the high-profile promotional debuts of Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez.
While most athletes would be nervous heading into such a spectacle, Folayang reveals that he is more concerned about representing himself well and performing to the best of his abilities.
“I am not nervous at all heading into this matchup,” Folayang said.
“What I am nervous about is whether or not I will be able to perform to my satisfaction. Winning and losing is already a given in any sport, but it’s how you perform that will give you the most fulfillment. If you are able to do what you wanted to do, there will be no regrets. The only thing we can control is our own selves, especially in the heat of battle.”
With less than three weeks left until the event, Folayang appears steadfast and confident of victory. He will step into the ONE cage at the iconic Sumo Hall with his band of brothers at Team Lakay in his corner, and the weight of an entire nation behind him.
“Landslide” is more than willing to rise to the occasion and vows to bring the title back to the Philippines in epic fashion.
“Having the entire Team Lakay behind me when we hit Tokyo is going to be crucial,” Folayang concluded.
“Just the support they offer mentally and physically is already such a huge factor in this. I’m going to be looking for the finish. I want to make my brothers and my country proud.”
Reigning ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang will defend his title at ONE: A NEW ERA against a man he respects, Japanese legend Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki. The square off in the main event on 31 March at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. Folayang knew Aoki was perhaps the best grappler he had […]
Folayang knew Aoki was perhaps the best grappler he had ever faced in his entire career even when he first challenged the Japanese warrior back in 2016.
Though he was able to win the match by way of technical knockout in the third round, Folayang was tested in every way as Aoki took every opportunity to bring the Filipino into his grappling world.
“I have the utmost respect for Shinya [Aoki],” Folayang said.
“In my opinion, he’s a terrific martial artist and a true martial arts hero. He’s been around for so long and he’s faced the best in the sport. I am certainly not taking him lightly. Shinya is and will always be a legend in my eyes. That being said, I’m preparing to take him out on March 31st. In my mind, I finish him within the distance.”
In a classic striker versus grappler matchup, Folayang has done his due diligence in studying everything about Aoki’s style. He knows that Aoki will inevitably be able to take him down, so he and his teammates at Team Lakay are coming up with a game plan to make sure he is able to hold his own against the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo black belt.
“If he does successfully take me down to the mat, I have to remain calm and work to escape,” Folayang said.
“The thing with Shinya is, if he’s able to bring you into his world, it can be extremely dangerous, especially if you panic. You are prone to making mistakes and trust me, he recognizes every opening.”
Besides his improved takedown defense, Folayang also plans on keeping Aoki busy with his heavy strikes. While Aoki is on the defensive, Folayang will continue to unleash a barrage of punches and kicks until he claims the desired result.
“I have to make sure my explosiveness is there in this bout,” Folayang said.
“I have to be very aggressive and keep him on the defensive. He’s going to eat a handful of strikes if he tries to come close, that’s for sure.”
Folayang is confident that his training has equipped him the tools necessary to finish off Aoki once and for all, as he has no plans of letting the result go to the judges’ scorecards. It is hands down the most important title defense in his career and Folayang will push forward for the people who have motivated him since day one.
“I am dedicating this match to our Lord, my family, to my teammates at Team Lakay, and all the fans in the Philippines,” Folayang concluded.
“I will do my best to finish this guy within the distance and not put the result in the hands of the judges.”
By Dan Paulo Errazo Reigning ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang will headline ONE: A NEW ERA on 31 March as he defends his ONE Lightweight World Title against Japanese legend, Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki in a highly-anticipated rematch. The heavily stacked card at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan will house the rematch […]
The heavily stacked card at the Ry?goku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan will house the rematch between the Filipino striker and the Japanese submission artist. After relinquishing his golden strap to Folayang, Aoki made a statement by winning his last three matches in the first round where two of those were by submission, and one impressively by knockout.
The wins earned Aoki another shot at the ONE Lightweight World Title, setting up an epic showdown in Japan.
“I knew at one point or another, I would be facing Shinya [Aoki] again. It was inevitable,” Folayang said.
“He was quickly coming back up and I had just won the title again. Plus, the huge Japan event was announced. I anticipated defending the lightweight belt against him there. “
Folayang was happy with the news that he would be facing Aoki once more. He feels that this is another opportunity to see how much he has improved against the hungry Japanese veteran.
“Nevertheless, I am grateful for the opportunity to once again face this legend,” Folayang said.
“He’s the greatest submission artist in mixed martial arts history. I couldn’t be happier to headline this event against him. It is an honor.”
Coming into this bout, Folayang’s game plan involves heavy focus on takedown defense.
Knowing that Aoki is known for his vaunted ground game, Folayang has been working closely with coach Mark Sangiao in developing techniques to counter and escape each and every position on the ground.
A successful title defense would mean a lot to Folayang and Team Lakay as they slowly rise back to the top of the sport. Takedown defense, and avoiding the mat with Aoki at all costs, it seems, is the primary focus.
“As much as possible, I will not give him the opportunity to bring me down to the mat,” Folayang concluded.
“It all boils down to how well I defend myself from his takedowns, knowing how expertly he moves with this sole purpose in mind. Takedown defense is a very important part of my training right now, and I am constantly improving in this area.”
Brandon Vera’s return to the cage was a brief but triumphant affair with the 41-year old stopping Italy’s Mauro Cerilli just after the one minute mark in the first round. The heavyweight title bout was the main event of ONE: Conquest of Champions held inside the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philipines. There were […]
Brandon Vera’s return to the cage was a brief but triumphant affair with the 41-year old stopping Italy’s Mauro Cerilli just after the one minute mark in the first round. The heavyweight title bout was the main event of ONE: Conquest of Champions held inside the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philipines.
There were questions asked about Vera in the lead-up to this bout. The defending champion was coming off a two-year break from competition and in Cerilli was facing a younger, more active fighter.
However, within moments of the contest beginning, it was apparent that Vera and Cerilli were operating at different levels.
The Italian never looked comfortable sharing the cage with Vera and seemed intent on landing a knock out blow as soon as possible. In his haste, he ran head first into a beautifully timed left hook from Vera which dropped the challenger, ending the match instantly.
It was the fifth bout in Vera’s ONE Championship career, as well as his fifth first-round stoppage and his third- title defense. Vera’s win has paved the way for the ONE super-bout between him and Myanmar’s Aung La N Sang for the Light-heavyweight championship. The bout has been hinted at by both the athletes as well as ONE CEO and founder Chatri Sityodtong. The idea has been floated that the two will meet in 2019 on one of the Japanese cards.
Folayang Regains Lightweight title
The night’s co-main event was a title clash between the Philipines Eduard Folayang and Singapore’s Amir Khan for the vacant ONE lightweight title.
Folayang was looking for redemption, in front of his home crowd, after losing the strap last November to Martin Nguyen. Kahn’s record of having the most finishes and the most knockouts in ONE Championship created an extra layer of hype around a contest that was already highly anticipated.
The first round began with both men testing each other’s defenses with probing leg kicks. Khan, in particular, looking relaxed and fluid had some success hitting Folayang on the counter.
The first round came to a close with Khan having the better of the exchanges but with neither man in the ascendancy.
It would be interesting to know what was said to Folayang during the break between rounds because whatever it was, it did the trick. Folayang dominated the second round from the outset continually pushing forward and unleashing a barrage of impressive and fan friendly offensive maneuvers.
The Filipino roared on by the highly partisan local crowd delivered multiple spinning back elbows and fists while he had Khan trapped against the cage.
Three-quarters of the way through the round, Khan, hoping to stem the tide launched himself at Folayang with a flying knee, only to end up being caught and dumped on his back.
The 24-year-old managed to return to his feet, without taking too much damage but was rewarded with another spinning elbow for his troubles. As the round ended a shell-shocked Khan made his way back to his corner. To his credit, Khan was able to regroup in the third but after the punishment he suffered in the second, never looked like posing a threat to Folayang.
The 34-year-old continued hitting Khan throughout the remaining rounds with a succession of spinning back fists and heavy elbows.
A Unanimous Win
As the fifth drew to a close, the crowd sensing Folayang’s impending victory ratcheted up the volume. The hometown hero then put a stamp on his dominance with a pair of punishing sidekicks as well as flying kick to Khan’s midriff for good measure. There was little suspense, but plenty of excitement as the judge’s scorecards were read out. Folayang emerging the winner with a well-deserved unanimous decision victory.
Folayang’s win now means that Team Lakay hold four of the eight available men’s titles. It is a staggering achievement for the Baguio City crew.
The arrival of Eddie Alvarez and Demetrious “Mighty <ouse” Johnson will surely test their dominance in the lightweight and flyweight divisions, but those are challenges for another day.
Nakashima Wins In Debut
James Nakashima kept his undefeated record alive taking it to 10-0 after claiming a unanimous decision victory over the previously unbeaten Russian Raimond Magomedaliev.
The former LFA welterweight champion showed no signs of nerves in his ONE debut, looking calm and composed throughout the course of the bout.
Magomedaliev started quickly but despite opening up a cut on Nakashima’s head in the first-round never looked to have the Amercian in any real danger.
Nakashima’s wrestling game began in impose itself in the second round, and by the third, he was entirely in control. The 30-year-old’s ground and pound slowly wearing down Magomedaliev in the second half of the contest.
It may yet be too early for talk of a shot at the title, but one or two more performances like this and Nakashima will be knocking at the door of whomever holds the belt.
ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS Full Results
Brandon Vera def. Mauro Cerilli via first-round knockout
Eduard Folayang def. Amir Khan via unanimous decision
Honorio Banario def. Rahul Raju via via unanimous decision
Saemapetch Fairtex def. Alaverdi Ramazanov via unanimous decision
James Nakashima def. Raimond Magomedaliev via unanimous decision
Hiroaki Suzuki def. Deividas Danyla via unanimous decision
Prelims:
Samy Sana def. Armen Petrosyan via unanimous decision
Alexandre Machado def. Hideki Sekine via second-round TKO
Han Zi Hao def. Azwan Che Wil via first-round TKO
Jeremy Miado def. Peng Xue Wen via second-round TKO
Akihiro Fujisawa def. Rockie Bactol via third-round TKO
Rudy Agustian def. Asraful Islam via unanimous decision
