Folayang guns for a knockout win against Japanese legend Akiyama

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

Eduard “Landslide” Folayang is hoping not to waste the third opportunity given to him after suffering back-to-back losses in his recent fights.

Now determined and more focused, the legendary Filipino mixed martial artist is ready to take on one of Japan’s biggest fighters, Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama.

The former ONE lightweight world champion confirmed that he is far from retirement despite facing criticisms that he should now leave the sport and let the younger generation shine.

Folayang shared that he has enough gas left in the tank and he is still gunning for his lost belt.

To mount his comeback and have a crack once again for a title fight, Folayang must first tackle Akiyama and he knows it will not be an easy task.

“I think it will be a career-booster. Syempre si Sexyama, mabigat yung pangalan niya. Getting a win over him, malalaman ng mga taga-Korea at Japan na mas sexy ang tiga-Pilipinas. Yan ang isa na mabibigay ng panalo natin against this guy. We need to do our part para makuha natin ‘yung panalo ditto,” said Folayang.

This will also be the first time in a while where Folayang will face an older opponent with an eight-year gap, the Filipino is 37 while the Japanese is 45.

“I learned my lesson sa past fights ko, especially yung recent and I dont wan’t to do that again,” he said. “Kailangan mas maganda ang adjustment this time and at least, naranasan ko yung battle fight competition. Alam ko na i-adjust sarili ko for the next fight,” shared the determined Folayang.