Folayang to defend ONE lightweight belt vs featherweight champ

MANILA, Philippines — The king has become the hunted once again.

ONE’s reigning Lightweight kingpin Eduard Folayang will defend his title against newly minted featherweight champ Martin Nguyen at the Mall of Asia Arena on November 10, in the promotion’s first cross-divisional showdown.

And this is just what the homegrown talent from the famed Team Lakay stable wants and needs.

“As a martial artist, I am constantly in search of the biggest challenges,” Folayang said. “As a champion, I welcome any challenger. Martin is one of the bests in the world and it is an honor to share the cage with him.”

Taking on one of the elites, Folayang will stake his lightweight strap against the Australian Nguyen, who has been riding on a five-match winning streak.

As if that isn’t a case compelling enough, Nguyen’s new hardware came at the stunning expense of Marat Gafurov — one of the most revered fighters in Asia.

The fight is also a necessity for the challenger. For the 28-year-old former rugby player, the tussle with Folayang is his ticket to greatness.

"I'm out not only to make a statement, but to go down in history as the best to ever compete under the ONE banner,” Nguyen said. "New Years’ will be coming early this year, because in this fight there will definitely be fireworks.”

“This is going to be a dog fight,” he added.

This will be the second time Folayang will be fighting to keep his glittering hardware. He dispatched EV Ting of Malaysia last April also before a partisan crowd.

"This is a bout for the fans, and I can’t wait to perform in front of my hometown crowd in Manila once again,” Folayang said of the momentous showpiece.

"I’m preparing to showcase the best version of Eduard Folayang on November 10.” — Denison Rey A. Dalupang