Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 4) – Filipino mixed martial arts legend Eduard Folayang has never been in his current situation in his 15 years of fighting in the professional scene.
The 38-year-old Folayang is on a career worst four-fight losing streak, and fell short on six of his last seven bouts.
Despite the slump, the cornerstone of the famed Team Lakay stable known for his outstanding wushu skills decided to take a leap in his career, and agreed to fight for the first time in a special Muay Thai rules fight against one of the sport’s household names, John Wayne Parr.
“For me, it’s a good challenge. I’ve been doing striking all of my life, I started from kickboxing then wushu to martial arts. This is a good challenge for me to see my development in striking when I transitioned to MMA,” Folayang said in an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines.
With his Muay Thai debut in ONE Championship on March 26 and ending his losing streak both in his mind, the Benguet-born fighter said his mental mindset has never been as high as before.
“Mentally, I’m more prepared to fight this time,” said Folayang. “If I want to win again, it all starts mentally. I need to be mentally prepared and ready for whatever the opponent will throw us.”
Aside from working on his mental composure, the former ONE lightweight champion said that fighting in Muay Thai made him refine his striking abilities in training from attacking from his fists, utilizing elbow punches, performing knee strikes, and applying kicks that can rock the Australian legend.
“There are fewer areas to prepare in Muay Thai, than in MMA. But you must prepare here your mind, your body, endurance, and stamina,” he said.
Folayang also shared that he did cross-training sessions with the Philippine national Muay Thai team, who is also training in Benguet, to master the sport’s fight rules since he will be dealing with a decorated fighter in Parr in one of the fights featured in ONE Championship’s 10th anniversary event ONE:X.
“Mas nararamdaman ko kung paano makipaglaro sa mga style nila (I became more familiar on how they compete according to their styles),” Folayang said on the impact of the joint training sessions with the country’s best Muay Thai fighters.
Folayang, who holds a 22-12 record, said he is eager to show everyone that he can regain his old form and get back on the winning track.
“I must do what I should be doing. There’s excitement and joy that I’m still here in this sport healthy,” the Team Lakay mainstay said.
