Ready but wary, Eduard Folayang out to prove he's not yet done

MANILA, Philippines — Six months ago, Eduard Folayang was brought down. This Friday, he takes the first step in his journey to prove that he is not yet out.

And for what it’s worth, it seems like everyone is rooting for him—ONE Championship’s top honcho Chatri Sidyotdong, and even his former tormentor Martin Nguyen.

Folayang, the skipper of the famed Baguio fight stable Team Lakay, is eyeing his first win since losing the belt to Nguyen last November. Aside from shooting for his 19th win in 25 matches, he is set to erase the bitter taste of easily getting dethroned.

But ever the soft-spoken and humble striker, Folayang said that the fight against Russian Kharun Atlangeriev is no make-or-break situation.

The 33-year-old wushu practicioner added that setbacks—even like the one he was dealt in front of his home crowd—are just hurdles waiting to be tackled.

Even with title-fight implications, Folayang is looking at a win as just another task he needs to tick off his list…

…and he is more than ready to secure it.

Folayang and his ONE-debuting foe will lock horns in the “Unstoppable Dreams” showpiece at the Singapore Indoor Stadium this Friday. — With reports from Denison Rey A. Dalupang