Japan's legendary Shinya Aoki visits home of the champions in Benguet

Photo Courtesy || One Championship & Eduard Folayang

Cordillera - Team Lakay's head coach Mark Sangiao revealed in a Facebook post that Shinya Aoki of Japan has visited their gym on Tuesday to meet with Eduard Folayang and the rest of Team Lakay athletes. 

Shinya Aoki is a professional mixed martial artist and grappler from Japan. He is currently signed with ONE Championship and is a former ONE Lightweight World Champion. 

Aoki has a professional record of 46-11 and is considered one of the top lightweight fighters in the world. He is known for his exceptional grappling skills, having won multiple Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission wrestling championships. Aoki is also a black belt in judo. 

He began his MMA career in 2003 and has fought for various promotions throughout his career, including DREAM, PRIDE, and Strikeforce. He has notable wins over Eddie Alvarez, Tatsuya Kawajiri, and Antonio McKee. Aoki is known for his aggressive and exciting fighting style, making him a fan favorite among MMA enthusiasts. 

Eduard Folayang is a Filipino professional mixed martial artist and a former ONE Lightweight World Champion. He is currently signed with ONE Championship. 

He has a professional record of 22-9 and is considered one of the top lightweight fighters in Asia. He began his MMA career in 2006 and has fought for various promotions throughout his career, including URCC, Pacific Xtreme Combat and ONE Championship. 

He is known for his striking skills and his striking style is a combination of wushu, boxing and kickboxing. He has notable wins over Shinya Aoki, Kotetsu Boku, and Adrian Pang. 

He is also a former Wushu champion. He is considered as one of the pioneers of MMA in Philippines and has been a role model for many young fighters in the Philippines.

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Eduard Folayang to receive P500,000 cash incentive from Benguet government

Photo Courtesy || ONE Championship

Cordillera - Former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard "Landslide" Folayang may not be lucky enough to receive the $50,000 bonus from ONE Championship's boss Chatri Sidyothong however, he was granted half million peso bonus from Benguet government. 

The former champ who prevailed against Muay Thai Legend John Wayne Parr on March 2022 will be receiving P500,000 cash according to Benguet caretaker Eric Go Yap. 

The Benguet congressman said, Folayang can cash in the amount if he wins against Parr. 

He added that the cash prepared for the Igorot champ was sourced out from the Office of Benguet Representative.

"We have pooled our resource at the Office of Benguet Representative that if Folayang wins, we will hand him a cash incentive," said Yap.

Folayang won a convincing victory against Muay Thai legend John Wayne Parr  in their lightweight bout in ONE: X in Singapore on March 26, 2022.

The Cordilleran warrior scored a second-round knockdown with a right hand after pummeling Parr with powerful body shots and precise combinations.

He followed his relentless attack on Parr with his signature spinning back kick but the Aussie showed the spirit of being a legend, he survived the Igorot onslaught until the last round.

However, Parr didn't give up and redeemed himself in the 3rd round after delivering a flying left knee which Folayang respectfully absorbed.

The two legends took each other punches and kicks towards the end as Parr, a former 10-time World Champions finally closed the chapter of his combat sport with a 99 wins on top of 45 KOs, and 34 losses.

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WATCH: Eduard Folayang beats Parr; knocks him down in 2nd round

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - Igorot Wushu specialist and former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard "The Landslide" Folayang won a convincing victory against Muay Thai legend John Wayne Parr  in their lightweight bout in ONE: X in Singapore on March 26, 2022.

The Cordilleran warrior scored a second-round knockdown with a right hand after pummeling Parr with powerful body shots and precise combinations.

He followed his relentless attack on Parr with his signature spinning back kick but the Aussie showed the spirit of being a legend, he survived the Igorot onslaught until the last round.

However, Parr didn't give up and redeemed himself in the 3rd round after delivering a flying left knee which Folayang respectfully absorbed.

The two legends took each other punches and kicks towards the end as Parr, a former 10-time World Champions finally closed the chapter of his combat sport with a 99 wins on top of 45 KOs, and 34 losses.

Meanwhile, Folayang advances his winning score and wished ONE Championship would give him another super fight maybe against Sage Northcutt. 

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Igorot fighter Folayang demolished Amir Khan for World Title Win

Photo Courtesy || ONE Championship

Cordillera - Team Lakay veteran Mixed Martial Artist Eduard "The Landslide" Folayang came out victorious over Amir Khan of Singapore. 

Folayang reclaimed the ONE Lightweight World Title during ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS held in Manila. 

The Team Lakay star have shown incredible power and intelligence during the fight as a result of clever game planning and the undying support from his team mates and the Filipino fans.

ONE Championship has announced that Folayang will face Zhang Lipeng in the main event of ONE: BATTLEGROUND II to be aired on Friday, 13 August 2021.

The Igorot fighter and three-time ONE Lightweight World Champion is once again ready to prove that he's still a force in the division.

His upcoming match up with Lipeng is his ticket to having a matchup with reigning lightweight king Christian "The Warrior" Lee of Singapore.

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Cordilleran MMA fighter Eduard Folayang remains one of the best in the world

Photo Courtesy || ONE

Cordillera - ONE Championship chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong has said in a statement that Baguio's sensation Eduard "The Landslide" Folayang is very fresh, strong, very athletic and intelligent as a response to critics who said the Cordilleran fighter needs to step away from boxing for good. 

The 35-year-old, former two-time lightweight king has struggled to get back to the winning side after recording three losses from his last fights. 

But ONE boss believes that the Cordilleran warrior still has the power and the will to come back, and he didn't believe a fight with Caruso will be his last.

"The truth is he's still very fresh and very strong and very athletic and very intelligent. I don't believe this is Eduard's last fight, Sityodtong said. 

"I think Eduard is still there, skill wise, mentally and physically. He is still up there. He might not be in the official rankings but he is still up there," ONE boss added. 

Folayang is set to share the ring with Australian fighter Caruso in ONE: Into The Matrix on October 30 in Singapore. 

The live fight will be broadcast live from the Singapore Stadium. 

In the main event, reigning ONE middleweight and ONE light heavyweight world champion Aung La "The Burmes Python" N Sang of Myanmar will defend his middleweight title against top contender Reinier "The Dutch Knight" de Ridder of The Netherlands. 

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LOOK: Team Lakay lends a helping hand to the needy in Benguet thru 'Mobile Tulong'

Cordillera - Philippine's top Mixed Martial Arts stable Team Lakay has joined the hundreds of good Samaritan in the country who stepped up to extend help to many of their kailyans who are in need of assistance amid the global pandemic.

On Wednesday, the team headed by multi-awarded coach Mark Sangiao and joined by former ONE Championship Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang and ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio unloaded relief packs and distributed them to the residents of Tuba, Benguet.

Parts of the relief packs that were distributed are sacks of rice and fresh Benguet vegetables. 

After Tuba, the team is going to Itogon, Benguet to provide the same assistance to the residents there.

Team Lakay's  'Mobile Tulong' is  being implemented in partnership with ACT-CIS Partylist Congressman Eric Go Yap and the Charen family. 

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Philippine Congress to formally recognize and honor Team Lakay's contribution to the country

Photo Coutesy || Mark Sangiao

Cordillera - To formally recognize and honor Team Lakay members' contribution to the country, Benguet appointed caretaker congressman Eric Go Yap submitted a resolution to Congress to thank and praise them for bringing tremendous honor and glory to the country. 

Cong. Yap said, he submitted House Resolution No. 707 as a way of recognizing and thanking the champions of Team Lakay. 

"Bilang saludo ang pasasalamat sa inyong mga tagumpay, ating isunumite ang House Resolution No. 707 upang pormal na kilalanin ng Kongreso ang inyong mga ambag para sa bayan," Yap said. 

Yap personally thanked current ONE Strawweight Champion Joshua Pacio, reigning Brave Combat Federation Bantamweight Champion Stephen Loman and former URCC Welterweight Champion and former ONE Lightweight Champion Eduard Folayang for their great contribution in the field of Mixed Martial Arts in the country. 

Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao and the champions visited the House of Representative on Tuesday. 

Yap met them in his office and personally handed them certificate of recognition and promised them support to improve their gym and further enhance their training.

"Maraming salamat sa pagiging inspirasyon sa maraming kabataang Pilipino na may pangarap magpursige sa kani-kanilang larangan. Asahan ninyo na nasa likod ninyo kami at handang sumporta hanggang sa abot nga aming makakaya. Mabuhay kayo! Mabuhay ang Pilipino, Yap added. 

Team Lakay is a Benguet-based Mixed Martial Art team in the Philippines. It was founded by former mixed martial artist Mark Sangiao. 

The team operates in a close to zero budget with a gym that is not air conditioned, no state of the art training facilities but produced the best mixed martial artists that are making waves in major international organizations. 

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Igorot MMA star Eduard Folayang, one of the 50 Greatest Filipino Athletes of All-Time

Photo Courtesy || Eduard Folayang

Cordillera - Igorot mixed martial artist and wushu practitioner Eduard Folayang who fights in the ONE Championship was included in the list of 50 Greatest Filipino Athletes of All-Time.

Folayang was deemed as one of the 50 Greatest Filipino Athletes of All-Time, a book which was recently published by publisher Vernon Go to commemorate the Filipino athletes as one of our sport heroes who brought great pride, joy, and honor to the Philippines and its people.

"I'm not really a sport enthusiasts but I did feel that the Filipino athlete should be memorialized, remembered and honored," Go said.

How the book was made is a story in itself, the Philippines Yearbook has been made to also commemorate each and every issue with an encompassing theme about the Philippines. 

This year 2020, Vernon thought that this year's theme for the yearbook would be about sports and how it honors the 50 greatest Filipino athletes of all time.

READ ALSO: Eduard Folayang nominated Martial Arts Hero of the Year for the Global Martial Arts Award 2018

Before his professional career in mixed martial arts, Folayang came from a poor family and had a tough childhood growing up in Baguio City, Philippines. 

Although Folayang had such a rough childhood, he endured and trained hard in wushu and boxing at the age of 16 under the training of coach Tony Candeleria which helped him improve on his skills and discipline. 

In 2006, Folayang graduated from the University of the Cordilleras and went on to become a teacher. Six months in, he decided to quit in order to pursue his dream of becoming a professional fighter.

READ ALSO:  Multi-awarded Cordilleran coach Mark Sangiao among outstanding Filipinos honored in Ginebra Ako Awards 2018

On June 30, 2007, Folayang made his professional debut a the URCC and from then on has won many tournaments in Martial Combat, Wushu, URCC and now in ONE Championship.

He is now training at Team Lakay Gym located in La Trinidad, Benguet under the careful watch of multi-awarded coach Mark Sangiao. 

Congratulations Eduard Folayang

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"Automatic rematch" for Belingon and Bibiano Fernandes, ONE CEO said

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - An automatic rematch is set for Kevin Belingon and Bibiano Fernandes in the near future after their historic trilogy ended up in a disqualification for Belingon. 

ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sidyodthong said in a press conference that the two rivals would meet for the fourth time. 

"That's an automatic rematch," Sidyothong announced during a press conference just after the event in Tokyo, Japan. 

Fernandes snatched the belt from Belingon after the former was given a red card by the referee due to disqualification. Belingon accidentally landed a pair of illegal elbows to the back of the head of Fernandes in the second round. 

Fernandes was hurt and declared a winner when he couldn't stand up to continue the fight.

Many fans were dissatisfied with the outcome of the fight and wanted the two rivals to meet again for the fourth time to settle things straight. 

The early rounds of the bout had given the Filipino champion the upper hand as it scored clean shots and spinning back kicks to Fernandes. 

Fernandes was able to trade punches with Belingon in the next round which caught Belingon an overhand right to his jaw and took him off his feet. But Belingon was able to withstand the powerful shots and recovered.

In the third round, Fernandes was able to ground Belingon but received two clean elbows to the back of his head. The referee stopped the fight and Fernandes was given 5 minutes to recover. The fight was halted after Fernandes was unable to continue the bout. 

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Two of the best Cordilleran World Bantamweight Champions come from Ifugao

Cordillera - The era of Philippine Mixed Martial Arts has begun and has been taking the center stage of the sports media nowadays. Thanks to all the Filipino fighters who put their time, effort and dedication to the sport. 

The Cordilleran martial artists are now making waves in major sport organizations like ONE Championship and Brave Combat Federation. 

ONE Championship promotion has Kevin Belingon who currently holds the World Bantamweight title while Brave Combat Federation has Stephen Loman who is also holding the same title.

Photo Courtesy || Brave Combat Federation

Both fighters are Cordillerans who happened to be from the same tribe, the Ifugao. They are both training under the stable of Benguet-based gym Team Lakay with multi-awarded coach Mark Sangiao.

Stephen "The Sniper" Loman is a passionate and dedicated fighter who will do all his best to win in every bout. He is an ultimate well-rounded fighter with powerful kicks and incredible hands. He has a lot of variety of weapons that he uses in his arsenal.

Loman is the first and only Brave Combat Federation Bantamweight Champion in the history of the promotion. He is currently on his sixth fight winning streak after defending his title against Frans Mlambo and Felipe Efrain back in 2018. 

This coming March 15, 2019, he will be defending his title against Elias Boudegzdame in the main event of Brave 22: Storm of Warriors at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

This is the first time Stephen will be fighting in front of his countrymen right in his own homeland. 

Meanwhile, his town mate Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon is one of the most exciting Filipino MMA fighter of ONE Championship because of his explosiveness and speed when he fights inside the cage. He is known for his powerful punches that when landed solid to his opponent, would be the end. 

Photo Courtesy || Kevin Belingon FB

Currently, Belingon holds the ONE Championship World Bantamweight title after grabbing it from the Brazilian fighter Bibiano Fernandes after their match in November last year. 

Belingon is set to face Fernandes for the 3rd time in the co-main event of ONE: A New Era on March 31 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. 

The 31-year old Belingon showcased a lot of improvements during his last fight and is now in his seventh winning streak. 

The ONE: A New Era will also see the most anticipated fight in the main-event as ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang will defend his belt in a rematch with the Japanese martial arts icon Shinya Aoki.

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Lito Adiwang - a rising Cordilleran MMA champion

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - Considered as one of Team Lakay's rising MMA star in the pipeline, Lito Adiwang proved once again that he is going straight to becoming a world champion someday. 

The Baguio-based young fighter got his chance to join Rich Franklin's ONE Warrior Series and had his second big break when he floored down Alber Corrreia da Silva earlier in the first round during their encounter in Singapore yesterday. 

The 25-year old Adiwang used his unconventional way of attacking his opponent. His unanticipated assault followed by his blinding speed in punching made a big difference in the fight. 

He caught Silva with a big left straight causing Silva to recline to the canvas. Adiwang didn't miss his chance, he followed Silva to the ground and unloaded series of big punches forcing the referee to halt the fight in under 45-seconds. 

Adiwang's excellent performance gave yet another victory for La Trinidad-based MMA Gym Team Lakay. Adiwang now improved his record to 7-2. 

Will Adiwang be the next exciting fighter for Team Lakay and can follow the footstep of top-tier Team Lakay champions like ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang and ONE Interim Bantamweight World Champion Kevin Belingon? The big chance is there especially that he is under the careful watch and mentoring of one of the best coach Mark Sangiao. 

Watch Lito Adiwang's impressive performance below:

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Forbes picks 2 Igorot Martial Artists as Pacquiao's Successor

Cordillera - Two Igorot martial artists are among the list of famous Filipino world champions in the Philippine combat sports that international business magazine Forbes picked as Pacquiao's successor once he hangs up his gloves for good. 

According to Forbes, it listed Eduard "The Landslide" Folayang and Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon among the possible fighters that could be in a position to succeed Pacquiao as the new face of Filipino combat sports. 

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Folayang has all the reasons to be in the list as Forbes says:

"He's currently in this second run as champion and he has been tabbed to main event his promotion's biggest show of the year on March 31 in Japan. Folayang will face Japanese legend Shinya Aoki in a high-profile rematch..."

READ ALSO: Cordilera's Team Lakay Champions recognized at the Senate

"If he can reaffirm his dominance over Aoki and bring the ONE title back to the Philippines, his already sizable popularity in his country will grow even more. Folayang has long been compared to Pacquiao by many, including ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong. Folayang has also said Pacquaio's career, success and way of life are part of what motivates him," Forbes added.

Another Igorot in the list is Belingon who currently holds ONE world bantamweight title. Belingon popularity in the world of combat sports is evident in his past fight where he defeated legendary Bibiano Fernandes via split decision during their second fight.

Photo Courtesy || Kevin Belingon

His speed and explosiveness are also comparable to Manny Pacquiao's style which he is known for. 

Belingon will be part of the ONE: NEW ERA card set for March where he is going to face Fernandes for the 3rd time. This fight will be a test for Belingon and a stepping stone for him to be in the Filipino MMA scene. 

READ ALSO: The igorot warriors that bring Philippine MMA to the world's spotlight

"In March, the two men will have their rubber match. At 32, Belingon is younger than Folayang, but he needs a second win over Fernandes to entrench himself in the Filipino MMA scene and to be further established as one of the truly elite in his promotion and across the entire MMA scene." Forbes said.

The other three Filipino fighters included in the Forbes' list are Erwin Ancajas, Jhack Tepora and Michael Dasmarinas. 

source || Forbes

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Igorot Champ Eduard Folayang VS. former UFC Champ Eddie Alvarez | Possible matchup in 2019

Cordillera - Year 2019 would be a tough and busy year for Team Lakay champions as they will be  defending their belts against top challengers in the Mixed Martial Arts Arena. 

For the reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua "The Passion" Pacio, he was slated to defend his belt against Japanese challenger Hayato Suzuki on 19th January in Indonesia. 

Meanwhile Team Lakay's veteran fighter and now World Lightweight Champion Eduard "The Landslide" Folayang is also looking ahead to his first challenge as a champion. But right now ONE Championship has not yet made a formal announcement to whom he will be fighting inside the cage. 

However, a lot of talks and expectations from fans and Eduard himself has been talking about a possible showdown with former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez.

Eddie Alvarez on the other hand, recently signed with ONE Championship last October. He is one of the most accomplished lightweight martial artist of all time.

With Alvarez's high caliber records in MMA and Folayang's recent triumph to the lightweight division, a possible showdown between them could be an exciting fight for MMA fans worldwide. 

For Folayang himself, he admitted that a showdown with Alvarez will be a great matchup. 

"It will be a great match up. I have seen Eddie Alvarez and I have been able to follow him on his fights, and he is a great martial artist. He has been able to get the Bellator lightweight championship, and also the UFC championship. So, for him, he be looking to get another shot for the ONE Championship lightweight belt. I think if, given the chance, it will be a great match up," Folayang said during an interview in BJPENN radio.

MMA fans would have to wait for ONE Championship announcement if a Folayang VS. Alvarez will be included in the first round of the ONE Championship Lightweight Grand Prix scheduled on 22nd February.

If Folayang-Alvarez fight would push through, who do you think will win? Comment down below.

Watch Alvarez fight below



Watch Eduard Folayang fight below

Video Courtesy: BellatorMMA and ONE Championship

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Cordilera's Team Lakay Champions recognized at the Senate

Photo Courtesy || Eduard Folayang FB

Cordillera - Members of the Team Lakay are now the talk of the town and earlier paid a visit to the Philippine Senate and spend time with some of the senators.

In a photo shared by ONE World Lightweight Champion Eduard Folayang, he and ONE Bantamweight Champion Kevin Belingon, ONE Flyweight Champion Geji Eustaquio, ONE Strawweight Champion Joshua Pacio,  Brave Combat Federation Champion Stephen Loman and Coach Mark Sangiao posed a photo with the senators.

With their individual ONE Belt hanging on their shoulders, the Cordilleran warriors proudly joined the senators in a photo shoot headed by Senate President Sotto along with Eight Division World Champion Manny Pacquiao, Migz Zubiri, former Senate president Pimentel and others.

Team Lakay Champions also posed with their cup of coffee at the senate house.

Photo Courtesy || Eduard Folayang

Last December 2, the city government of Baguio organized a "Parade of Champions" to honor Team Lakay dedication to the sport.

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The igorot warriors that bring Philippine MMA to the world's spotlight

Photo Courtesy || Team Lakay Official FB

Cordillera - No one could ever disagree with the words of ONE Championship CEO and chairman Chatri Sidyodthong that Team Lakay is the number one team in the world. Team Lakay's success in the MMA arena is collectively worked out by the Igorot martial artists who dedicated lots of their time and effort in this particular sport. For them, martial arts is a passion they love doing. It's a career that is fulfilling and a sport they care about and are willing to share to others.

Their dedication to the sport has been  rewarded abundantly. This year is a great milestone for them as they took home five world championship belts in different weight classes; four under the banner of ONE championship and one under Brave Combat Federation. 

Eduard "The Landslide Folayang" just recently became ONE Lightweight World Champion last November  23, 2018. 

Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon became the ONE Bantamweight World Champion early in November. 

Joshua Pacio became the ONE Strawweight World Champion in September.

While Geje Eustaquio became the undisputed ONE Flyweight World Champion in June.

Stephen Loman on the other hand, became Brave Bantamweight World Champion. 

Yes, it's five world championship belts that they had taken and brought home to the Philippines. 

These are the Igorot heroes that brought the Philippines Mixed Martial Arts to the world's spotlight. Because of them,  Philippines is now known to have the best mixed martial artist in the world. 

The successful journey of Team Lakay from its humble beginning up to becoming the number one team in the world is a product of teamwork and humility. 

As Eduard Folayang - the newly crowned world lightweight champion said, " We help each other so that we can be able to have these belts." 

To honor the big contribution of the legendary martial arts heroes and the champs of Team Lakay, the city government of Baguio organized the "Parade of Champions" on December 2, 2018.

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Eduard Folayang beats Amir Khan, reclaims ONE World Lightweight title back

Photo Courtesy || One Championship

Cordillera - Team Lakay top fighter Eduard "Landslide" Folayang's journey to the Promised Land has been finally reached as he defeated Amir Khan of Singapore in ONE: Conquest of Heroes on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Folayang has proven that he is not yet done with the sport, after beating younger fighther Amir Khan who defeated his teammate Honorio Banario via first round submission.

In the 2nd round of the bout, Folayang showcased his ring superiority by pummeling Khan with series of spinning back punches. Both fighters survived until the fifth round but all rounds are clearly won by Folayang. 

Three judges scored the bout via unanimous decision giving victory to the Baguio native. 

The 35-year old Folayang finally got his birthday wish, winning back ONE Lightweight World Title.

"There's no greater gift I can receive on my 35th birthday other than winning the ONE Lightweight World title back," Folayang said. "And there's no better place to do it but in front of my countrymen" he added.

As the most coveted belt in the world is now in his possession, Folayang improved his record to 21 wins with only 6 defeats.

Likewise, his teammate Honorio Banario won via unanimous decision against his Indian foe.

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Eduard Folayang nominated Martial Arts Hero of the Year for the Global Martial Arts Award 2018

Photo Courtesy || Coach Mark Sangiao FB || One Championship

Baguio City - Team Lakay's Eduard Folayang among other world athlete were nominated Martial Arts Hero of the Year for the Global Martial Arts Award 2018. 

The awarding is scheduled to take place in Singapore on November 8 at the JW Marriott Hotel, South Beach. The award will recognize superstar, athletes, gifted coaches, innovative leaders and media personalities that have left an indelible mark on the competitive world of martial arts in the past year. 

The award gives honor and credits to outstanding individuals in 16 different categories who played a vital roles in contributing to the growth and influence of martial arts around globe.

Folayang along with Singapore Angela Lee, Myanmar Aung La N Sang, Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo, Martin Nguyen and Tenshin Nasukan will be honored in the Martial Arts Hero of the Year category.

Both Kevin Belingon and Joshua Pacio who trained under Team Lakay were nominated in the Male Ahtlete of the Year category.

Belingon was also nominated in the Breakthrough Athlete of the Year category due to his incredible performance in his past fights leading to a rematch against Bibiano Fernandez. 

Joshua Pacio's fight against Pongsiri Mitsatit of Thailand, where he submitted his opponent with his "Passion lock" was among the seven fights nominated in the Submission of the Year category. 

The Global Martial Arts Award 2018 also recognized the place where athletes train to become exemplary and the coach who trains them

Team Lakay Gym in Cordillera was among the nominated Gym of the Year and Mark Sangiao was nominated Coach of the Year. 

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