TEAM Lakay’s Eduard Folayang, the reigning lightweight world champion squares off against featherweight world champion Martin Nguyen in One Championship’s cross divisional showdown.
Asia largest MMA promotions announced Tuesday, September 19, the bout is set to take place at the Mall Of Asia Arean in Manila on November 10 dubbed "Legends of the World."
“As a martial artist, I am constantly in search of the biggest challenges, the biggest tests of my skills. As champion, I welcome any and all challengers. Martin is one of the best in the world and it is an honor to share the ONE Championship cage with him,” said Folayang.
Folayang added the bout is for the fans, and he can’t wait to perform in front of the hometown crowd in Manila once again.
“I have complete respect for my opponent’s skills and together with my brothers at Team Lakay, my coach Mark Sangiao, I’m preparing to showcase the best version of Eduard Folayang on November 10,” added Folayang.
After nearly a decade of competing in various promotions, Folayang has amassed an impressive 18-5 professional record and is currently riding on a four-bout winning streak against high-profile opponents, including an emphatic technical knockout victory over Japanese legend Shinya Aoki to capture the ONE lightweight world championship in 2016.
Showcasing a highly-improved wrestling and grappling arsenal, Folayang thoroughly defeated top challenger Ev Ting in his first title defense in April.
The 28-year-old Nguyen of Sydney, Australia, is one of the most talented featherweights in martial arts sporting a 9-1 professional record.
In his recent bout, Nguyen stepped into the ONE cage in August, scoring the biggest victory of his career when he stopped former undefeated featherweight champion Marat Gafurov in Macao to capture the title.
“New Years’ will be coming early this year, because in this fight, there will definitely be fireworks. I'm out not only to make a statement, but to go down in history as the best to ever compete under the ONE Championship banner. I have the utmost respect for the lightweight champion, and will definitely not take his skills for granted. But this is going to be a dog fight. It's the first time two champions in different divisions go head-to-head in ONE, and I am excited to give the performance of a lifetime. The real winner of this bout will be the fans at the Mall of Asia Arena,” added Nguyen.
ONE CEO and chairman Chatri Sityodtong meanwhile said the promotion continues to push the boundaries of sports and entertainment with each event, promising the Manila fight card to be absolutely phenomenal.
“Two world champions in their respective weight classes are set to go head-to-head in a cross-divisional showdown that will be talked about the world over that is sure to produce fireworks,” added Sityodtong. (Roderick Osis)