2018 has been one of the best years in the 11-year professional career of Eduard “Landslide” Folayang.
After scoring impressive victories over two undefeated Russians to start his 2018 campaign, the Filipino superstar punctuated his year by reclaiming his ONE Lightweight World Title.
The 35-year-old Baguio City native was in his unstoppable form when he dominated Singapore’s Amir Khan over the course of five rounds at ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS last November.
As he welcomes 2019 as a lionized champion sitting atop the 77.1-kilogram weight class, Folayang is more motivated than ever to defend his gold-plated strap against all worthy challengers in the talent-filled bracket.
“I am here to prove that I am the champion for a reason. I will never back down from any challenge,” he declared.
However, he will have his hands full in his first defense since recapturing the lightweight crown over a month ago as he is slated to share the cage with Japanese legend Shinya Aoki.
Both men are set to face each in the main event of ONE: A NEW ERA, which takes place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan on 31 March.
Folayang and Aoki first met inside the cage at ONE: DEFENDING HONOR in November 2016, with the Filipino dynamo pulling off a stunning upset victory over the Japanese legend.
Branded as a heavy underdog in the first bout, “Landslide” overcame insurmountable odds by executing a perfectly-devised game plan en route to a third-round technical knockout to capture the ONE Lightweight World Title.
Ever since having his hand raised against the man known as the most decorated lightweight in Asian mixed martial arts history, Folayang knew that a second meeting with Aoki is inevitable.
“I knew that I will someday cross paths again with Shinya Aoki ever since our first encounter in 2016. It is an honor to share the cage with him for the second time,” he said.
“Aoki has been on a hot streak ever since losing the ONE Lightweight World Title. I can tell that he is hungry to get the belt back, seeing his past performances against world-class competition.”
If Folayang comes out victorious in his second clash with Aoki, the winner of the ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix could be next in line as his next challenger.
The aforementioned tourney will feature world-class athletes, who will compete throughout the year, with the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final bouts taking place at separate events, rather than on one night.
Though the full bracket hasn’t been announced yet, one of the favorites to win is Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarez, who signed an exclusive deal with ONE Championship last October.
Alvarez is booked to square off with the hard-hitting Timofey Nastyukhin of Russia in the tournament’s opening round at ONE: A NEW ERA in Tokyo, Japan on 31 March.
Also expected to be included in the list are former World Title challengers Khan and Ev Ting, as well as Ariel “Tarzan” Sexton and Saygid “Dagi” Guseyn Arslanaliev.
“There are many athletes on the current roster who want a piece of what I have right now. They will have that chance, especially after the announcement of the World Grand Prix next year,” Folayang stated.
“These challenges give me more reason to be motivated and improve.”
Folayang, whose wife just gave birth to a healthy baby girl last 26 December, is now putting an end to his offseason as he looks to start the hard grind as soon as the holiday season is over.
“I am already doing light training for my upcoming fight. After Christmas and New Year, the real work begins. I am happy that I won last month, but it’s time to move on and take on the next challenge,” he expressed.
