MMA: Folayang to debut improved ground game against Shalorus at ONE FC: Rise to Power

Battered and defeated, Eduard Folayang knew that good was no longer good enough. Having been designated by Filipino fans and mixed martial arts (MMA) experts as the country’s best mixed martial artist, he knew he needed to improve drastically to fulfill the potential that his compatriots have claimed he had.

 

The turning point came in Folayang’s last fight at a URCC event in Manila in January, where he was dominated by fellow ONE FC lightweight Lowen Tynanes. The lessexperienced Hawaiian displayed superior grappling in neutralizing Folayang, who failed to muster much offencse in the bout.

 

 Losing in his home country, especially in such one-sided fashion, was a bitter pill for Folayang to swallow. Lesser men will have cowered and left the sport, but Folayang showed his resolve and dedication to the sport by relocating his training to the United States. 

 

“Nakita ko yung importance talaga ng wrestling at ground game,” Folayang said. “Pumunta akong US sa sarili kong expense para mag-improve.”

 

Folayang has one of the best strikers in the division, coming through the Wushu ranks to represent the Philippines in gold medal victories in both the SEA games and Asian games. However, his grappling was sorely exposed in the bout against Tynanes. Determined to shore up his weakness, he led a nomadic lifestyle along the United States West Coast. 

 

He trained at the Drysdale Gym in Las Vegas and also visited Mark Muñoz at the Reign Training Center in California.

 

Folayang spent three months honing his wrestling and Brazilian jiu jitsu skills in several of the top gyms in California. Folayang, who was a high school teacher before embarking on his MMA career, has since returned to Baguio to conclude his training camp with his teammates at Team Lakay.

 

The Asian Games Wushu gold medalist returns in front of 20,000 fans at ONE FC: Rise To Power, which takes place on May 31 at MOA Arena. Folayang’s newfound grappling skills will be put to the test against seasoned veteran Kamal Shalorus, who is a world-class wrestler and has fought some of the biggest names in the sport.  The Iranian-American will look to take Folayang down at some point in the fight, while Folayang probably has the best chance to win the bout if he keeps it standing.

 

This will be Folayang’s stiffest test to date. A victory for him in his home country will vindicate his decision to train in the United States and move him closer to his ultimate goal of becoming ONE FC champion.

 

“Although na-let go ko na yung pagkatalo, inspirayson ko pa rin yun kasi ayoko nang matalo ulit,” Folayang said. “Pangarap ko ring maging ONE FC champion kaya kailangan kong manalo para mapalapit sa title shot.” - CLP, GMA News