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.”
Angela “Unstoppable” Lee is looking to make history at ONE: A NEW ERA as she challenges “The Panda” Xiong Jing Nan for the ONE Women’s Strawweight World Title at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan. A victory would crown Lee the first woman in history to hold two major World Titles concurrently in different weight divisions. The match […]
A victory would crown Lee the first woman in history to hold two major World Titles concurrently in different weight divisions.
The match was originally set to take place late last year but due to Lee having back injuries, the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion was ruled out.
Now that ONE Championship has rescheduled the bout for 31 March in Tokyo, Japan, Lee is not letting the opportunity go to waste as she counts the days through one of the toughest training camps of her life.
“It’s the desire to make history,” Lee said.
“When I defeat Xiong Jing Nan in Tokyo, I will become the first female two-division World Champion in ONE Championship history. I cannot let an opportunity like that pass me by.”
After running through the competition at atomweight, Lee’s abrupt decision to move up a weight class had some of her fans worried. At initial glance, Lee challenging the champion in a new division right off the bat without testing the waters first seemed like a risky move.
Lee, however, assures everyone that she acknowledges and respects her opponent’s skills and has long made preparations coming into the biggest match of her career thus far.
“Many people may see me as the underdog in this fight because I’m moving up in weight but that doesn’t bother me,” Lee said.
“I’ve always been one to step up to the challenge and I love proving people wrong. I respect Xiong as a competitor and that is why I would love nothing more than to challenge her for her title.”
Less than a month out to ONE: A NEW ERA, Lee’s attempt to make history is coming closer by the day. If she performs to her capability, fans could be in for a real treat. The showdown with Xiong is one of three highly-anticipated co-main events.
Lee is excited for the chance to turn in a career-defining performance.
“It is an absolute honor to be part of such a historic event,” Lee concluded
“I really feel that ONE: A New Era will be the biggest ONE Championship card to date! Being able to showcase my skills in front of the fans in Tokyo is a dream come true for me. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to make history. It will be a lifetime accomplishment when I become a two-division World Champion in ONE.”
Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes is ready to take on Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon at ONE: A NEW ERA on 31 March to determine who the is the rightful owner of the ONE Bantamweight World Title. With both men having a win each in their epic rivalry, Fernandes acknowledges the fact that Belingon had taken huge […]
With both men having a win each in their epic rivalry, Fernandes acknowledges the fact that Belingon had taken huge strides in improving his skills and is worthy of being called a World Champion.
“It is evident that Kevin Belingon has improved greatly since our first meeting back in 2016, all the way up to our most recent meeting last November,” Fernandes said.
“We all know everyone at Team Lakay, especially Kevin, are world-class strikers, but what they have improved on the most is their grappling, and we have seen that improvement, not just in Kevin but also in Eduard Folayang and Geje Eustaquio, and so on.
“The biggest difference with Kevin, for me, was his vastly-improved grappling as well as his confidence. He was confident that he belonged in there with me, and he proved it.”
Fernandes was quick to lock in a kimura in the early minutes of their first encounter in 2016 that forced the Filipino to tap. In 2018, Belingon came back in a rematch and then gave Fernandes the performance of a lifetime as “The Silencer” was crowned the undisputed champion.
Belingon ran away with a close split decision victory, and although Fernandes didn’t agree with the judges’ verdict, he maintains a lot of respect for his rival.
“Of course, I have a great deal of respect for Kevin, both inside and outside the cage. He is one of the best competitors in the world, but more importantly, he is a great person as well,” Fernandes said.
“I have seen his development over the years and his journey back to the World Title picture, and I will say that he has earned everything that he has gotten. I would say that the thing that I respect the most from Kevin is his determination and his drive to improve as a martial artist, aside from his warrior spirit.”
The two are slated for a tough five-round showdown for all the marbles in Tokyo. The winner of the rubber match will effectively crown the true and rightful king of the bantamweight division. Fernandes expects no less than the toughest test in his career.
“It’s going to be a tough battle in Japan,” Fernandes concluded.
“But I am well-prepared to handle any and all adversity. You will see the best Bibiano Fernandes in the cage, and at the end of the night, the World Title will be back around my waist.”
Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes is ready to take on Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon at ONE: A NEW ERA on 31 March to determine who the is the rightful owner of the ONE Bantamweight World Title. With both men having a win each in their epic rivalry, Fernandes acknowledges the fact that Belingon had taken huge […]
With both men having a win each in their epic rivalry, Fernandes acknowledges the fact that Belingon had taken huge strides in improving his skills and is worthy of being called a World Champion.
“It is evident that Kevin Belingon has improved greatly since our first meeting back in 2016, all the way up to our most recent meeting last November,” Fernandes said.
“We all know everyone at Team Lakay, especially Kevin, are world-class strikers, but what they have improved on the most is their grappling, and we have seen that improvement, not just in Kevin but also in Eduard Folayang and Geje Eustaquio, and so on.
“The biggest difference with Kevin, for me, was his vastly-improved grappling as well as his confidence. He was confident that he belonged in there with me, and he proved it.”
Fernandes was quick to lock in a kimura in the early minutes of their first encounter in 2016 that forced the Filipino to tap. In 2018, Belingon came back in a rematch and then gave Fernandes the performance of a lifetime as “The Silencer” was crowned the undisputed champion.
Belingon ran away with a close split decision victory, and although Fernandes didn’t agree with the judges’ verdict, he maintains a lot of respect for his rival.
“Of course, I have a great deal of respect for Kevin, both inside and outside the cage. He is one of the best competitors in the world, but more importantly, he is a great person as well,” Fernandes said.
“I have seen his development over the years and his journey back to the World Title picture, and I will say that he has earned everything that he has gotten. I would say that the thing that I respect the most from Kevin is his determination and his drive to improve as a martial artist, aside from his warrior spirit.”
The two are slated for a tough five-round showdown for all the marbles in Tokyo. The winner of the rubber match will effectively crown the true and rightful king of the bantamweight division. Fernandes expects no less than the toughest test in his career.
“It’s going to be a tough battle in Japan,” Fernandes concluded.
“But I am well-prepared to handle any and all adversity. You will see the best Bibiano Fernandes in the cage, and at the end of the night, the World Title will be back around my waist.”
Before Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon became the ONE Bantamweight World Champion, he was just a small village kid who had big dreams. When he discovered his love for martial arts by joining his school’s wushu team, that’s when his life began to change. Now a prominent member of the renowned Team Lakay in Baguio City, […]
Before Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon became the ONE Bantamweight World Champion, he was just a small village kid who had big dreams. When he discovered his love for martial arts by joining his school’s wushu team, that’s when his life began to change.
Now a prominent member of the renowned Team Lakay in Baguio City, Belingon looks back at his journey thus far and says every time he steps into the cage to compete, he tries his best to honor his past.
“When I was in college, I joined my school’s Wushu team because I found it interesting,” Belingon said.
“I didn’t have very much knowledge in martial arts, apart from the Bruce Lee movies I watched as a kid. But coach Mark recognized my talent and began training me. He said he believed in my potential.”
Belingon soon earned an athletic scholarship to the University of the Cordilleras where he got a free ride through college due to his excellence in martial arts. This helped Belingon’s parents in shouldering an otherwise expensive financial burden, and also opened the doors for him to represent his school in local tournaments.
Needless to say, “The Silencer” dominated the competition.
“After working very hard and taking my training very seriously, I was asked to represent the school and compete in a local Wushu competition within just two to three months,” Belingon said.
“Without hesitation, I joined the competition and won. After that, I became a part of the school varsity team which paid for my education. It was a huge help for my parents because that was one less thing they had to worry about. I was studying and competing at the same time.”
At the time, heading his university’s wushu program was Coach Mark Sangiao. After graduating from college, Belingon followed Sangiao and they established a group along with veterans Eduard Folayang, Edward Kelly, and Honorio Banario. Not long after, Team Lakay was born.
“I remember back in 2006 when Team Lakay was officially formed, I was chosen to be one of the team’s very first athletes,” Belingon said.
“It was coach Mark who thought of the name. Lakay is an Ilocano word which translates to ‘brother’ in English. So we are a team of brothers.”
Every time Belingon steps into the cage, he does so representing both the pride of the Philippines and his band of brothers.
Belingon is scheduled to defend his ONE Bantamweight World Title against rival and former titleholder Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes at ONE: A NEW ERA, which takes place 31 March at the Ry?goku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.
No matter where Belingon heads with his career, he will always honor his past and what he is fighting for.
“I am very proud to represent the Philippines on the largest global stage of martial arts competition in ONE Championship,” Belingon concluded.
“It is an honor to also be part of Team Lakay. Wherever my career takes me, I will always be proud of where I came from.”
Zebaztian “The Bandit” Kadestam successfully defended his ONE Welterweight World Championship via second-round TKO last Friday night, 9 March in Yangon, Myanmar. Kadestam was being edged out by Georgiy Kichigin through the first couple of rounds until he caught the challenger with an elbow in the clinch. Kichigin survived the final few moments of the […]
Kadestam was being edged out by Georgiy Kichigin through the first couple of rounds until he caught the challenger with an elbow in the clinch. Kichigin survived the final few moments of the round, but couldn’t answer the bell for the third.
Kadestam’s striking, toughness and stamina continue to be his best attributes. Expert-level grapplers are likely still his kryptonite, but the champion’s performance at ONE: REIGN OF VALOR is proof that any grappler will have to weather a storm of pressure to dethrone The Bandit.
If we’re looking ahead to the next opponent for Kadestam, Kiamrian Abbasov might be a top candidate. He’s coming off a dominant win over Agilan Thani and he’s compiled a 20-4 record as a professional.
Abbasov might have the kind of balanced skill set required to give Kadestam problems. The only issue is that Abbasov isn’t exactly on the same timeline as Kadestam. Abbasov last competed in December 2018. If he waits for Kadestam, he might be out of action for seven to nine months before climbing back into the cage.
That said, no one should complain about a Kadestam-Abbasov title bout.
Phoe “Bushido” Thaw
Talk about a rebound. Thaw bounced back from his first professional loss in mixed martial arts with a first-round TKO victory over Yohan “The Ice Man” Mulia Legowo. The win not only helped erase the first-round submission loss Thaw suffered in his last bout to Keanu Subba, but it also happened in front of his countrymen in Myanmar.
The 34-year-old is on track to become another Burmese legend akin to Aung La N Sang, but he has some work to do if he’s to become the well-rounded athlete and martial artist that the ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion has grown to be.
A spectacular next opponent for Thaw could be Edward “The Ferocious” Kelly. He is coming off a loss to Christian Lee, but Kelly is still a solid veteran.
Thaw needs a slow, but steady increase of opponents and Kelly is the right kind of foe for the Burmese up-and-comer. Thaw could test his evolving skills against an opponent who is trained at one of the top gyms in the world, Team Lakay.
If Thaw can emerge victorious against Kelly, it’s safe to say he’s ready to ascend to the next level and perhaps a win or two away from a title shot.
Rene “D’Challenger” Catalan
Almost no one expected Rene Catalan to defeat Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito, and even fewer thought he’d win by stoppage. Catalan did both.
After such a big win another major opponent would seemingly be in line for Catalan.
Hayato Suzuki was originally supposed to face Joshua Pacio for the ONE Strawweight World Title, but an injury forced him out and Yosuke Saruta stepped up to battle for the belt.
Saruta upset Pacio and now the two men are set for a rematch at ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR on April 12. That would seemingly leave Suzuki without an opponent of merit in the time being.
A Catalan-Suzuki scrap could be great for a number of reasons. It would be a title eliminator of sorts, but there’s also a deeper connection.
Suzuki already owns a win over Rene’s younger brother Robin. If Rene could get a title shot, and revenge for the Catalan family in one fell swoop, it could be one of the most rewarding victories of the 40-year-old’s career.
Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli
If anyone wondered how Cerilli earned an opportunity for a shot at Brandon Vera’s ONE Heavyweight World Title, they got their answer when the former Cage Warriors champion destroyed Alain “The Panther” Ngalani.
Cerilli is a powerful grappler but his most dangerous weapon is his titanic right hand. Against Ngalani he showed off his wrestling because he knew that was where his major advantage would be over the former kickboxer.
It appeared he learned a bit from his loss to Vera. If he can continue to win with ONE, there’s a chance he could work his back toward a title shot. A road to that championship opportunity could include one of the newest additions to the ONE roster.
ONE just signed former world champion Vitor Belfort. The Brazilian legend has competed in a number of weight classes, and there is no question he could be a challenger at heavyweight.
He’s already called out retired boxer Roy Jones Jr., and the future Hall-of-Famer has accepted the challenge. However, if Belfort is interested in a mixed martial arts bout under the ONE Championship umbrella, Cerilli would make for an intriguing opponent.
Remember, Belfort is no stranger to facing bigger adversaries. He has faced the likes of Alistair Overeem and even defeated David “Tank” Abbott. If Belfort and Cerilli clash, you can bet on things ended in a finish. Neither man climbs into the cage anticipating their bouts to end in a decision.
