MANILA, Philippines – Filipino MMA fighter Eduard Folayang will challenge ONE lightweight world champion Japan's Shinya Aoki on November 11 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The match will headline the One: Defending Honor, which will showcase the best local and international MMA talents.
Nicknamed “The Landslide,” Folayang is one of the Philippines' most experienced MMA fighters. He is part of the Baguio-based Team Lakay Wushu team and currently holds a 16-5 record.
In his last two matches, Folayang defeated Japan's Tetsuya Yamada and Papua New Guinea's Adrian Pang.
"All the hard work I have put into training has finally started to pay off and I am challenging the great champion Aoki." Folayang said. "I will fight for the honor of my country and the people of the Philippines who will be in my corner on fight night."
Folayang will have the chance to win a world title against Aoki, one of the world's most decorated MMA fighters. Aoki was the former Shooto Welterweight Champion and is also the reigning DREAM Lightweight champion. Aoki fought over 40 professional bouts, winning 25 of those via submission.
Aoki said it will be the first time he will face a Filipino, adding he’s looking forward to what Folayang will bring to the table.
"Eduard Folayang is a great competitor with solid all-around skills. It should be an exciting match-up.” Aoki said.
ONE Championship CEO Victor Cui said Folayang deserves the title match after all of his hard work.
"The Singapore Indoor Stadium is going to erupt when fans finally get to see Folayang stand opposite Shinya Aoki inside the ONE Championship cage,” he said.
Tickets for the One: Defending Honor will go on sale on Monday, September 5.