Eduard “Landslide” Folayang’s Comeback: Going from Light House‑Fire to Championship Fire
After a quiet break from the spotlight, the former ONE Lightweight Champion is back in the ring, ready to relight his spark. He lost his title to Martin “The Situ‑Asian” Nguyen last fall, a knockout that has stuck a scar deeper than any bruises.
Now, after a reflective “re‑charge” period, Folayang’s got a fire in his belly that says, “Let’s win again.” He’s aiming to climb back to the top of the lightweight division and make that championship belt shine.
What The Fighter Says
“I will do whatever it takes to get back to the top. It’s not been easy. Losing rarely is. But true champions get back up and never quit.”
Folayang is 34, unbowed, and driven by a mindset that only real champions possess.
First Road to Redemption: ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS
The stage is set for the Sunday showdown in Singapore. He’ll face the undefeated Russian Kharun “Predator” Atlangeriev, who’s an 11‑0 sambo champ with a stunning mix of 5 TKOs and 5 submissions.
- Next fight: Thailand’s shining star vs. Russia’s sambo warrior.
- Venue: ONE’s “Unstoppable Dreams” — a Saturday-night heat‑wave.
- Goal: Fly high again, even if the turf looks cold.
Folayang’s Game Plan
He knows the fight could become wild: nothing is guaranteed. “Stick to the game plan, be sharp, and keep the strategy clean,” he says. The corner will be his secret sauce.
Talking about team, he gushes: “I’m grateful for Team Lakay, my coach Mark Sangiao, and every fan rooting for me.”
Facing the Grapper
Atlangeriev’s strength lies in wrestling, with a technical ground game that’s hard to beat. Folayang says he’s seen the tape and has a clear strategy:
- Beat his grappling with relentless striking.
- Test his standing power.
- Turn it into a duel of willpower.
He’s ready: “I want to keep the fight standing and do whatever it takes to stand tall.”
Past Lessons, Present Strength
Five years ago, Folayang faced two grappling heavyweights, Kamal Shalorus and Lowen Tynanes, and lost in a row. That hit was a turning point. He dedicated himself to mastering grapplers and eliminated any shadows of vulnerability.
His hard work paid off with a win over Japan’s Shinya Aoki in 2016, capturing the title and cementing Landslide as a global threat.
Now, as the veteran, he sees himself with confidence:
“I’ve seen it all – grapplers, punchers, every weird style the cage throws at you. My experience is my superpower.”
Folayang’s outlook is a mix of optimism and cautious strategy: “Prepare for the best but expect the worst. Visualize every path to victory.”
Just in time for his ready‑for‑battle mindset, Singapore’s stadium lights will be blazing, and Folayang’s will glow brighter than ever. With his seasoned team behind him, he’s all set to roll anew into the championship spotlight.
