EDUARD Folayang stays focused and determined in his bout as he seeks to reclaim the ONE Championship lightweight world title on Friday, November 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Metro Manila.
Folayang will be facing Singaporean sensation Amir Khan for the vacant 155 lbs belt which was vacated by Martin Nguyen earlier this year, who will focus on defending his featherweight diadem instead.
“This is the biggest bout of my career, and I am excited to give the best performance of my life,” Folayang said during kick off press conference on Tuesday, November 20, at the City of Dreams Manila.
The former lightweight world champion said his bout on Friday will be a validation of his yearlong hard work as he sets his sight of becoming a champion again and complete Team Lakay’s dominance in ONE Championship this year having won three world titles.
“Last year, things didn’t go as I expected. I lost the title. But this year is a new chapter. I worked extremely hard to come back here for another opportunity at the belt. I’ve been inspired by my teammates, my coach, and all the fans,” Folayang added.
Riding a wave of confidence with two victories so far in 2018, he is determined to make sure lightning does not strike twice in his nation’s capital.
“Of course, that’s what martial arts is. I’m not just here to fight for the belt. I want to prove that even if you fall, there is always 100 chances for us to jump up and show the world a single defeat does not define us. It will unleash the best of us,” Folayang added.
Although an underdog, Khan believes he has the talent and skills to score an upset against the Filipino MMA superstar.
“I have all due respect for Eduard, he is a great martial artist. But I am coming for the title. I’ve worked extremely hard on my game since the beginning of my career, and I am one hundred percent confident of becoming world champion. Winning that title means everything to me. Me and my coach, we have a solid game plan for this fight. The odds may be stacked against me. I’m fighting the hometown hero, but I won’t let it affect my performance,” he said.
Khan holds the record for the most wins in ONE history, and he can extend his tally to 12 with a victory on Friday, but that would pale in comparison to the honor of earning the top prize in the world’s largest martial arts organization.