By Jun Ray Navarres
Former two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang hopes to get back to winning ways against Chinese veteran Zhang Lipeng when they lock horns in ONE: BATTLEGROUND II on Friday, August 13.
Folayang is looking to snap his three-match losing skid and is determined to prove he remains at the top of his game.
The 36-year-old Team Lakay veteran concentrated more on his ground game to be ready to what the Chinese fighter has to offer inside the Circle.
“In this training camp, I focused more on my wrestling. I need to do well in my wrestling and my ground because I know it will be the area where they want to put me again, so as much as possible I prepared for this,” shared Folayang.
Eduard believes it will boil down on the preparation and how tough we are mentally. So, I think, everybody that goes there, they are not only physically strong, but the mental aspect is very important.”
But the road will be tough for the Filipino MMA icon.
Despite being new to ONE Championships, Zhang is a veteran fighter with a 30-11 record in his pockets, spending most of his time in Kunlun Fight (KLF), a Chinese kickboxing and MMA promotion.
“Well, I think he is a fighter. He is also a warrior because, you know, few people can be able to have that kind of record, 30-11, I think. So, he had been in the sport for a long time also, and I’m excited to face the same veteran with the same fighting style but the way how we would be able to be creative in our own ways, so let’s see how it will go,” said Folayang.
Yet, Folayang is fully aware of the battle he will head into, being wary of Zhang’s wushu skills and the ability to sustain in the ground game.
“I think his strength is that he can mix it up. When he knows that he can be able to put his opponent on the ground, he tries to put the fight there. If he can be able to out strike them, he put the fight on that area. I think that’s his strength,” admired the Filipino.
“The similarities are that he’s also having a Wushu background, so that’s the thing we are similar with. Yeah, that will be a good test for my striking abilities.”
Meanwhile, Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao only told Folayang to remain focus on his goals until he achieves it. According to Sangiao, every fight is just a test that a fighter must overcome and his upcoming fight is just one of it.
With coach Mark’s guidance, Folayang is confident to have formulated the kryptonite for the Chinese star.
“Of course, you know, everyone has their own weaknesses. Probably some of his losses comes from takedowns, but you know, he can also take down, so it depends on the one who can be able to have a stronger will, to put the fight wherever he wants,” said Folayang.
“For me, to talk about advantage, it depends on how the fight goes, but you know, I just see myself, my faith in my Creator who had given me all the potentials to be in this sport for long, I think that’s only the advantage that I have.”
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