Eduard Folayang explains exit from Team Lakay, wants to maximize 'few years left' in MMA career

Former ONE lightweight champion Eduard Folayang has explained his surprising departure from the fabled Team Lakay of Baguio City.

Folayang, touted as the face of Philippine mixed martial arts, announced his exit on Friday after spending sixteen years with the team spearheaded by head coach Mark Sangiao. According to Folayang, it is a decision he had to make now that he is in the final stage of his career.

“I am at a very critical stage of my fighting career. I only have a few years left to be active so as much as possible I want to maximize my career as an athlete,” Folayang explained in an interview on Sparring Sessions.

“I just do not want to make decisions while considering a lot of things so I decided to go out. That is the best decision I can do for myself.”

The 39-year-old Folayang also shot down the speculation that he is going to Singapore to train with his old rival and former ONE lightweight world champion Shinya Aoki at Evolve MMA. For Folayang, his goal is to simply focus on himself moving forward.

“That would be good so I can get better. But no, I made the decision to leave the team because I think it was the best decision I can make. I thought hard about it. Regarding Shinya, he came for a friendly visit,” Folayang explained.

“Leaving the team is not about joining another, I just want to venture more on myself to focus on myself and the things I have to do. It is what it is. I think this is the best time for me to utilize the time I have left to establish my own brand.”

—JMB, GMA Integrated News