MMA stars brace for S'pore tilt

BAGUIO, Philippines – Filipino MMA stars Team Lakay’s Eduard Folayang and Kevin Belingon step up their build-up for their much-anticipated appearance in the One Fighting Championship which gets going March 31 in Singapore.

Folayang and Belingon have been lined up in the major fight card which features a star-studded roster of high-profile and rising fighters at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

While Belingon will make his debut in Asia’s top mixed martial arts promotion, Folayang will see action in the event for the second time.

“Both fighters have started training since the second week of February and will be training until the third week of March and by that time, they have already reached their peak,” said Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao.

Belingon, who last fought in the University Reality Combat Championship in April 2011, will be the co-main event of the night as he faces the fancied Masakazu Imanari, who boasts of 24 wins and 10 losses in a career that includes 15 submissions and one knockout and two draws.    

Folayang, on the other hand, squares off with Filipino-Danish Ole Laursen in the other co-main event of the card.

Belingon will be going for his 10th win in an unblemished MMA career while Folayang is eyeing a 12th career victory in 13 fights.     

The main event pits UFC veteran and former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Renato Sobral against DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix finalist Melvin Manhoef.