Eduard Folayang Determined to Power Himself Out of Slump Against Veteran Yoshihiro Akiyama

Former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang is coming into his next bout full of motivation, after witnessing his Team Lakay teammates claim victories early into the year.

The 37-year-old ONE Championship veteran is in the most difficult stretch of his 14 year professional career, as “Landslide” has dropped four of his last five. Folayang, however, remains full of hope, and is determined to power himself out of his most recent slump.

ONE Championship recently confirmed Folayang’s highly anticipated return to action. The Team Lakay senior will take on Korean-Japanese superstar Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama at “ONE on TNT IV,” scheduled for Wednesday 28 April (Thursday, 29 April PH time) at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.

It’s the fourth installment in the “ONE on TNT” event series, which is broadcast to American audiences on US prime time via B/R Live and TNT.

Folayang is excited to face the 45-year-old Akiyama, and is currently deep in training, looking for his first victory in nearly two years.

“This will be a great fight for me. I’m working hard with the team right now, and I’m definitely up for the challenge. Everyone is gearing up,” said Folayang.

“Our victories in the first half of the year have boosted our morale. I, myself, have been inspired by my team’s victories. With our hard work, and discipline, and by the grace of God, 2021 will be a good year for Team Lakay.”

Folayang’s last victory in the Circle came against tough Mongolian Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu in November 2019. Prior to that, he dropped submission losses to Japanese rival Shinya Aoki and former UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez. Most recently, Folayang experienced decision losses to highly-regarded lightweights Pieter Buist and Antonio Caruso.

It has certainly been a rough stretch for the Filipino star, to say the least. But Folayang remains confident he can still put together a run back to the top, beginning with a solid performance against Akiyama.

“It is always an honor to share the Circle with legends. It gives me added motivation. Yoshihiro Akiyama is a legend and a veteran of the cage. His name is known throughout the world. This fight excites me because I know I’m going up against a great fighter. I’m working hard to come into the Circle well-conditioned with my mind and body,” said Folayang.

“This is a very important battle for me. I didn’t get the results that I wanted in my previous fights, and I wasn’t able to perform the way I wanted. The key to this fight is going to be the preparation. We’re coming up with a solid game plan. He’s not going to be an easy opponent. But at the same time, I’m confident in my skills. This time, I will aim for a steadfast victory.”

Evolve MMA Launches Free Online Workouts Starting March 30

As the world copes with the challenge of the Covid-19 crisis, Evolve MMA is giving the Martial Arts community a massive boost, offering a full-schedule of daily online sessions that everyone can avail of, free of charge.

Evolve MMA closed its doors for the first time ever on March 27th as the Singapore government ordered ‘all center-based classes’ stopped and gatherings of 10 or more banned.

With Four locations across The Lion City, the award-winning franchise has become a haven for combat sports students and fitness enthusiasts across the globe, providing world-class training for global superstars and beginners alike. With the global pandemic creating a massive void in people’s lives, Evolve sought a way to fill it.

Looking to hit the ground running, the Evolve online classes start from Monday evening March 30th and participants from around the world are invited to learn from some of the most elite coaches in the game.

Evolve MMA founder Chatri Sityodtong announced the news via his Facebook page earlier on Monday;

Everyone is welcome to train together with us from the safety and comfort of your home. Simply join us on the EVOLVE Facebook page or EVOLVE YouTube channel!

The full daily class schedule will be posted tomorrow with livestream classes all day from 900am to 915pm (Singapore Standard Time), 7 days a week across Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Wrestling, Warrior Fit, and more! Every class will be a structured lesson (and workout) with interactive Q&A with our World Champions answering your live questions. LET'S GOOOOO! OSS!!!

As Asia’s premier brand for Martial Arts training, Evolve MMA boasts more World Champions than any other gym on the planet. Needless to say, memberships are highly sought-after, so this news will provide a golden opportunity for students wishing to enhance their skills under the tutelage of some true Martial Arts masters.

With over 1,000 years of championship experience, Evolve MMA’s instructors should help make days of isolation a positive experience.

Constantly looking to share immense Martial Arts and fitness knowledge with the world, Evolve MMA’s latest Facebook posts offer a glimpse into the incredible wealth of information available. With World Champions in every major discipline, Evolve MMA is the perfect source with which to either start or continue one’s Martial Arts and fitness journey.

Inspired by Manny Pacquiao, Lito Adiwang Is Following in the Footsteps of His Hero

Filipino rising star Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang is one of the most explosive action heroes on the ONE Championship roster today. A ONE Warrior Series top product, Adiwang has captivated audiences each time he’s stepped through the ropes or entered the Circle.

The 26-year-old stalwart brings with him a unique adrenaline rush with his fan-friendly style, whenever he comes to compete. Under the guidance of legendary Filipino martial artist Mark Sangiao, and his brothers-in-arms at the famed Team Lakay, Adiwang is blazing a trail through ONE Championship’s strawweight division.

But he wasn’t always a martial arts action hero. Growing up in Baguio City, Adiwang had a rough upbringing.

“I was born the youngest in a family of seven children. Life was tough and we had to get through a lot of trials. My parents used to plant crops in an open lot so we would have food to eat, but it wasn’t enough,” Adiwang recounted.

“It really taught me a lot about overcoming adversity in life. I wanted to help my family, but I felt powerless. Then I lost my fourth sibling in a mining accident. My parents separated when I was a teenager. I just felt hopeless.”

Just when things were progressively getting tougher for the young Adiwang, he found hope in a Philippine sporting icon.

Like many children growing up in the Philippines, Adiwang was captivated by legendary boxer, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. The young “Thunder Kid” drew strength and inspiration from Pacquiao’s incredible career.

Pacquiao, boxing’s only eight division world champion, is arguably the greatest boxer of his generation. He’s captured multiple world titles, defeated legends, and achieved worldwide fame and fortune.

It soon became Adiwang’s dream to be just like his idol.

“Growing up watching the rise of Manny Pacquiao, I was motivated to become a boxer just like him. I wanted to represent my country and make my people proud too. I wanted to help bring my family out of hardship and poverty,” said Adiwang.

“There used to be an old church on the streets where I grew up, where I initially started to learn how to box. I was 12 years old at the time. I would shadowbox and imagine I was Manny Pacquiao, fighting against legends like Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera. I loved his relentless style. His opponents couldn’t handle him.”

Today, there are similarities in Adiwang’s dynamite-laden strikes and Pacquiao’s ferociousness. Just like Pacquiao, Adiwang features a relentless attack. He throws punches with no caution, and everything he comes forward with is packed with bout-ending power.

The results have been absolutely stunning.

Adiwang is thus far unbeaten in his ONE Championship stint. Gaining his start on the uber popular ONE Warrior Series, Adiwang’s star has truly shined. He won his first three bouts under the watchful eye of mixed martial arts legend Rich Franklin.

Not long after, the 26-year-old earned a six-figure contract with ONE Championship, after Franklin saw immediate potential. He then strung together two incredible finishes as part of ONE’s main roster.

“I knew Lito [Adiwang] was something special the moment I saw him train, and eventually compete. He just has that finishing instinct that not everyone has. With some polish, I knew Lito would make a huge impact in ONE Championship,” said Franklin, ONE Warrior Series CEO.

“He’s a phenomenal athlete and I just see him powering through the division. He still has much to learn, but he’s also developing at such a rapid pace. I’m really proud of what he’s accomplished so far, and very excited for what the future holds for him.”

It’s still early in his career and the possibilities are endless. Whether Adiwang goes down the path of his idol, Manny Pacquiao, remains to be seen. But there’s no denying the “Thunder Kid” is traversing a similar road.

“To be even considered in the same breath as Manny, it’s such an honor. If I can accomplish even a fraction of what he has in his career, I can consider my career a success,” said Adiwang.

“Right now I’m just focused on being the best that I can be. I really want to prove myself against the best opponents, and I feel I am ready.”

ONE Championship’s Singapore Event Converted to Closed Door Event

ONE Championship recently announced that the company has made the decision to convert one of its live events into a closed-door event. ONE: KING OF THE JUNGLE, which is scheduled for Friday, 28 February in Singapore is to proceed as planned, but the Singapore Indoor Stadium will be closed off to fans and media.

The decision was made with regards to the situation in Singapore surrounding the Novel Coronavirus (official name COVID-19). 

Singapore’s Ministry of Health recently raised its Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) level from yellow to orange after having confirmed 75 cases of infection.

ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong made the announcement to convert their event in Singapore to a closed-door event initially on his social media accounts. Shortly after, Sityodtong fielded questions from the media on a global conference call.

“In light of the coronavirus situation in Singapore, I have made the decision to convert ONE: King of the Jungle on February 28 into a closed event for broadcast only. The Singapore Indoor Stadium will not be open to the general public, but the event will proceed behind closed doors as scheduled live on all TV and digital platforms across 150+ countries around the world,” Sityodtong wrote on his official Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/yodchatri/posts/2904888419573300

Fans who purchased tickets to the event will be given a full refund through Sportshub Tix, ONE’s official ticketing partner in Singapore. All bouts are to proceed as scheduled, and will still be available live via TV and digital platforms worldwide, as well as through the ONE Super App.

The main event of ONE: KING OF THE JUNGLE will see two-sport ONE World Champion Stamp Fairtex of Thailand defend her ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Title against Janet “J.T.” Todd of the United States.

In the co-main event of the evening, reigning ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao of Thailand will take on Lachlan “Rocky” Ogden of Australia for the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title.

Representing Singapore on the global stage is former ONE World Title challenger Amir Khan, who is accompanied by fellow Singaporean stars Tiffany “No Chill” Teo and Radeem Rahman. In addition, Singapore-based athletes Troy Worthen and Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat are set to see action.

“We just felt that this was an incredible moment for us to ignite hope and strength across the continent of Asia and to our fans all over the world during this difficult time,” Sityodtong said during the global conference call.

“I also want to say that it is only by love, compassion, and resilience that Singapore as a country and Asia as a continent can overcome and conquer the Coronavirus.”

Sityodtong also says that while Singapore will proceed with its closed-door event, other events the organization has scheduled in other countries will proceed as planned. ONE Championship remains firm in its promise to deliver at least 50 events this year across all of its properties, and will make decisions to alter its events based on various factors as situations change.

“It was not an easy decision for us. In fact, many people were pushing us to cancel the event. But I thought back to why I started ONE Championship in the first place. And our mission since day one has been to unleash real-life superheroes who ignite the world with hope, strength, dreams, and inspiration,” Sityodtong continued.

“It’s a very different mission than all of our other global competitors. Yes we want to put on the greatest fights. Yes, we have the greatest martial artists in the world but there’s a deeper mission for ONE Championship. And in a time of crisis, in a time of fear in the continent of Asia, our heroes are ready to inspire the world.”

ONE CHAMPIONSHIP REVEALS INITIAL 2H 2020 EVENT SCHEDULE

13 February 2020 – Singapore: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), has just announced its initial 2H 2020 event schedule. More events will be announced later this year. The organization has also introduced the all-new ONE Infinity Series, the world’s apex brand of martial arts events. A typical ONE Infinity Series event features the very best the world has to offer in terms of global sports and entertainment: three World Championship bouts, a minimum of 12 World Champions in action, Super Fights, A-list celebrities, and much more. In addition, the ONE Championship event in Chongqing, China, originally scheduled for 11 April has now been moved to 10 April in Jakarta due to the Novel CoronaVirus. All other events are set to proceed as scheduled at this time. Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “It is my pleasure to introduce ONE Infinity Series, the world's apex brand for martial arts events. ONE Infinity Series is a cut above anything available anywhere on the planet. Comprising the biggest events of the year, these blockbusters represent the very best ONE Championship has to offer in terms of world championship talent, star power, martial arts skill, entertainment value, and historical importance.” The first event in this series, titled ONE Infinity 1, will feature a bout between ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes of Brazil and ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson of the United States as the main event. More information on ONE Infinity 1, including confirmed bouts, will be announced shortly. Succeeding ONE Infinity Series events will be announced at a later date. ONE Championship 2H2020 Official Schedule* Singapore Friday, 28 February Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Friday, 20 March Jakarta, Indonesia Friday, 10 April Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Friday, 17 April Manila, Philippines Friday, 29 May Jakarta, Indonesia Friday, 5 June Shanghai, China Saturday, 20 June Singapore Friday, 3 July Bangkok, Thailand Friday, 10 July Manila, Philippines Friday, 14 August Singapore Friday, 4 September Jakarta, Indonesia Friday, 11 September Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Friday, 18 September Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam Friday, 2 October Bangkok, Thailand Friday, 9 October Tokyo, Japan Sunday, 25 October Beijing, China Saturday, 31 October Singapore Friday, 20 November Jakarta, Indonesia Friday, 4 December Manila, Philippines Friday, 11 December Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Friday, 18 December *Events are subject to change. For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

About ONE Championship™ ONE Championship (ONE) is the largest global sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE is the world's largest martial arts organization, hosting bouts across all styles of martial arts such as Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Karate, Kung Fu, Silat, Sanda, Lethwei, Mixed Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do, Submission Grappling, and more. ONE hosts the biggest sports entertainment events across Asia, featuring some of the world's best martial artists and world champions on the largest global media broadcast in Asia. ONE Esports, a subsidiary of ONE Championship, runs Asia's largest global esports Championship Series with some of the biggest blockbuster game titles in the world. With a focus on both martial arts and esports, ONE Championship is currently the largest producer of millennial live sports content in Asia. In addition to its digital platforms, ONE Championship broadcasts to over 2.6 billion potential viewers across 140+ countries with some of the largest global free-to-air and digital broadcasters, including Star Sports, Tencent, ABS-CBN, Astro, ClaroSports, Startimes, Fox Sports, Thairath TV, Turner Sports, Skynet, Mediacorp, Great Sports, Mediaset Italia, ProSiebenSat.1, Dubai Sports, and more.

Believe the Hype: Lito Adiwang Is Coming For the Top Strawweights

Next generation Team Lakay stalwart Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang burst onto the scenes from out of nowhere, earning a spot on Rich Franklin’s popular travel series reality show, ONE Warrior Series, in 2018.

A knockout victory in his debut against Jose Manuel Huerta instantly impressed. But despite the scintillating finish, Adiwang had much more to offer as a rising prospect.

In his second outing, Adiwang demolished Alber Correia Da Silva in a mere 45 seconds. This opened up a lot of eyes as to what “Thunder Kid” is capable of. Shortly after, a thorough unanimous decision victory over Anthony Do proved Adiwang could go the distance.

Not long after, Franklin awarded Adiwang with a six-figure contract where he would move on to ONE Championship. He’s appeared unstoppable ever since, like a freight train full of dynamite.

“[Earning the ONE Championship contract] was the greatest feeling of my life, and I was super excited to show the world what I could do,” said Adiwang.

Adiwang then moved on to ONE Championship’s historic ONE: CENTURY card in Tokyo, Japan, against highly-touted veteran Senzo Ikeda. He was expected to face his first real test against the Japanese warrior. What happened next, absolutely no one could have predicted.

Adiwang wrecked Ikeda, swarming him within the first few moments of the contest with his usual blistering pace. But once action hit the mat, Adiwang brandished his unheralded ground game. He took Ikeda into a scarf hold and trapped his arm. Within moments, the Filipino stalwart had already latched onto a deep and secure armlock.

Ikeda had nowhere to go, and Adiwang signalled to the referee that his opponent had already suffered an injury. After Adiwang stood up and walked away, Ikeda’s elbow joint was revealed to have been hyperextended. The bout was over.

“I always go for the finish. That’s one thing fans can count on from me. I have an intelligent game plan, but my goal is to always end the fight early,” said Adiwang.

Just last Friday night, Adiwang made his second appearance inside the ONE Circle. He would take on the highly-regarded Pongsiri Mitsatit of Thailand at ONE: FIRE & FURY. It was the first time Adiwang would perform in front of his hometown fans in Manila as part of the ONE roster.

Once again, Adiwang brought thunder.

The Team Lakay stud pounced on Mitsatit early, overwhelming his counterpart with wild hooks and sharp uppercuts from all directions. Mitsatit could do little aside from try to defend himself.

As the Thai athlete backpedalled, Adiwang advanced looking to end matters early. After action hit the mat, Adiwang shifted into grappling mode and again looked for his favorite scarf hold position. From there, he maneuvered Mitsatit’s arm into a kimura.

It was deep, and with every passing second, it became more and more evident there was absolutely no escape.

“We had a tough training camp. But I’m happy I was able to go out there and perform.I wanted to give the Filipino fans a good show,” said Adiwang.

“My game plan was to go for the knockout, but I knew if it came down to it, I could finish him on the ground too. And that’s what I did.”

Mitsatit was forced to tap or suffer the same fate as Ikeda. The better option was clear.

Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series has produced some incredible talent who have moved on to ONE Championship. ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion Stamp Fairtex is perhaps the most prominent thus far, but Adiwang is a future world champion according to Franklin.

“The moment I saw Lito perform, I knew he was something special. He’s the complete package. He has the power and the skill. I knew he would move through the ranks quickly,” says Franklin.

“We’re always looking for the best talent in the world. We want to give opportunity to those who we believe can step onto the global stage and make an immediate impact.”

It’s not hard to predict what’s next for Adiwang. A top caliber strawweight could definitely be in the cards. He has certainly earned it. But one thing is for sure, whoever steps into the Circle against Adiwang should be prepared for the thunder that he brings.

“I’ll fight whoever they put in front of me. I’m ready for the big fights,” said Adiwang.

“But if there’s one man on my mind, it’s former champion Yoshitaka Naito. Now that would be a great challenge.”

JOSHUA PACIO RETAINS ONE STRAWWEIGHT WORLD TITLE WITH A CLOSE SPLIT DECISION VICTORY OVER ALEX SILVA

31 January 2020 – Manila, Philippines: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), made its first appearance at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila in 2020 with ONE: FIRE & FURY. Once again, the absolute best in world-class martial arts talent came out to showcase their incredible skills. In the main event, reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio of the Philippines survived the methodical grappling of former ONE World Champion Alex “Little Rock” Silva of Brazil to win by razor-thin split decision after five rounds. Silva would spend the majority of the contest hunting Pacio for the takedown, at times pulling guard to bring matters to the ground where he held the advantage. Pacio, however, would exhibit stellar submission defense, and often was able to get back up to his feet. In the standup, Pacio shined, peppering Silva with pinpoint accurate combinations. In the end, Pacio did just enough to earn the decision on the scorecards. In the co-main event of the evening, the Netherlands’ Pieter “The Archangel” Buist shocked the partisan Filipino crowd as he defeated 2-time ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang after three rounds of a close battle. Buist’s length proved problematic early for Folayang, as the Filipino found difficulty in gauging his opponent’s range. Action was fierce by the second round, and Buist was starting to hit the mark. “The Archangel” connected on a thudding head kick in the final round, visibly stunning Folayang. In the end, two of three judges saw the bout in favor of Buist who took home a split decision for his efforts. Former ONE World Title challenger Danny “The King” Kingad of the Philippines overcame a spirited effort from Chinese foe “The Hunter” Xie Wei to claim victory after three rounds. It was a close bout all throughout, with Xie putting the pressure on Kingad, who opted to lay back and counter. Although both men showed their best offense as they met each other at the center of the ONE Circle, it was Kingad who exhibited more poise and control. In the end, Kingad did just enough to capture the judges scorecards for the unanimous decision verdict. In a ONE Super Series Muay Thai bout, former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Petchdam “The Baby Shark” Petchyindee Academy outlasted WBC Muay Thai International Champion Momotaro of Japan to win by majority decision over three rounds. Momotaro came out of the gates with his usual fast pace, bringing the heat to Petchdam in the first frame. Round two was close, as both men put forth their best combinations. In the final round, Petchdam unleashed his signature body kicks to swing the decision in his favor. Former Shooto Bantamweight World Champion Shoko Sato of Japan notched a scintillating submission victory at the hands of top Korean mixed martial arts prospect “Pretty Boy” Kwon Won Il. Action started out fast-paced, behind a pair of sharp left jabs from the Korean. It didn’t take long however for the two men to engage in a clinch against the Circle wall. From there, Sato swept Kwon and immediately latched onto his back to fish for the rear naked choke. With the hold secured, Kwon had no choice but to tap. Japan’s Tatsumitsu “The Sweeper” Wada dominated opponent Ivanildo “Monstrinho” Delfino of Brazil over three rounds to bag an impressive victory in front of Manila’s passionate martial arts fans. Wada was aggressive from start to finish, pouncing on every opening while keeping Delfino on the back foot. As Delfino looked to take matters to the ground, Wada showcased impeccable defense, impressing judges with his relentlessness. In the end, all three judges scored the bout in favor of Wada to win by unanimous decision. In a ONE Super Series Muay Thai bout, atomweights Alma Juniku of Australia and Anne Line Hogstad of Norway delighted the packed Mall of Asia Arena crowd with an exciting battle between top female striking talents. Juniku pushed the action in the early going, but Hogstad was right there to meet her at the center of the ONE Circle. In the third round, Hogstad pounded Juniku with elbows and kicks, and ended the match with more activity. In the end, Hogstad managed to emerge with a majority decision. In another thunderous performance, Team Lakay’s Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang of the Philippines authored yet another breathtaking performance, making quick work of opponent Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit of Thailand. After a brief gauge of distance, Adiwang abruptly closed the gap, blasting Mitsatit with a plethora of thudding power punches. An overwhelmed Mitsatit tried his best to cover up against the fence, but Adiwang would get close enough to stick a bodylock takedown. On the mat, Adiwang swiftly transitioned into a scarf-hold, where he then caught Mitsatit in a kimura to force the tap. The Philippines’ Gina “Conviction” Iniong made a triumphant return to professional mixed martial arts competition, outstriking Asha “Knockout Queen” Roka of India across three close rounds. Although Roka stood right in front of Iniong hunting for a knockout for the majority of the bout, it was Iniong who beat her constantly to the punch. In the end, all three judges scored the bout in favor of Iniong to win by unanimous decision. In a ONE Super Series Muay Thai contest, Thailand’s Rodlek PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym turned in a rousing performance, going strike-for-strike with Scotland’s Chris Shaw, with the CH7 Muay Thai World Champion showcasing the full breadth of his skills over the course of three rounds. Behind a steady stream of powerful kicks, Rodlek kept Shaw constantly weary on the defensive end. In the third round, the Thai warrior dropped the Scotsman with a hook just before the final bell to seal the victory. All three judges scored the bout in favor of Rodlek to win by unanimous decision. *The mixed martial arts atomweight bout between Jomary “The Zamboanginian Fighter” Torres of the Philippines and Jenny “Lady GoGo” Huang of Chinese Taipei ended in a No Contest (NC) ruling after a series of accidental strikes. Official results for ONE: FIRE & FURY ONE Strawweight World Championship: Joshua Pacio defeats Alex Silva by Split Decision (SD) after 5 rounds Mixed Martial Arts Lightweight: Pieter Buist defeats Eduard Folayang by Split Decision (SD) after 3 rounds Mixed Martial Arts Flyweight: Danny Kingad defeats Xie Wei by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds Muay Thai Flyweight: Petchdam Petchyindee Academy defeats Momotaro by Majority Decision (MD) after 3 rounds Mixed Martial Arts Bantamweight: Shoko Sato defeats Kwon Won Il by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:05 minutes of round 1 Mixed Martial Arts Flyweight: Tatsumitsu Wada defeats Ivanildo Delfino by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds Muay Thai Atomweight: Anne Line Hogstad defeats Alma Juniku by Majority Decision (MD) after 3 rounds Mixed Martial Arts Strawweight: Lito Adiwang defeats Pongsiri Mitsatit by Submission (Kimura) at 3:02 minutes of round 1 Mixed Martial Arts Atomweight: Gina Iniong defeats Asha Roka by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds Muay Thai Bantamweight: Rodlek PK.Saenchaimuaythaigym defeats Chris Shaw by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds Mixed Martial Arts Atomweight: Jomary Torres vs Jenny Huang - No Contest due to accidental strikes (NC) For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

About ONE Championship™ ONE Championship (ONE) is the largest global sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE is the world's largest martial arts organization, hosting bouts across all styles of martial arts such as Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Karate, Kung Fu, Silat, Sanda, Lethwei, Mixed Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do, Submission Grappling, and more. ONE hosts the biggest sports entertainment events across Asia, featuring some of the world's best martial artists and world champions on the largest global media broadcast in Asia. ONE Esports, a subsidiary of ONE Championship, runs Asia's largest global esports Championship Series with some of the biggest blockbuster game titles in the world. With a focus on both martial arts and esports, ONE Championship is currently the largest producer of millennial live sports content in Asia. In addition to its digital platforms, ONE Championship broadcasts to over 2.6 billion potential viewers across 140+ countries with some of the largest global free-to-air and digital broadcasters, including Star Sports, Tencent, ABS-CBN, Astro, ClaroSports, Startimes, Fox Sports, Thairath TV, Turner Sports, Skynet, Mediacorp, Great Sports, Mediaset Italia, ProSiebenSat.1, Dubai Sports, and more.

JOSHUA PACIO AND ALEX SILVA FACE-OFF AHEAD OF ONE STRAWWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT IN MANILA

28 January 2020 – Manila, Philippines: The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), today held the ONE: FIRE & FURY Official Open Workout in Pasay City. The world’s best martial arts talent came out to showcase their incredible skills in front of fans and media. In attendance was reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio of the Philippines, who faced off with the challenger, former champion Alex “Little Rock” Silva of Brazil. Also at the open workout were top Filipino athletes Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, Danny “The King” Kingad, Lito “The Thunder Kid” Adiwang, Gina “Conviction” Iniong, and Jomary “The Zamboanginian Fighter” Torres. More information on ONE: FIRE & FURY is available at www.onefc.com. Joshua Pacio, ONE Strawweight World Champion, stated: “Last year was a great year for me. Despite losing my title, I was able to gain it back and also put in some great wins against tough opponents. I feel very comfortable fighting here at home in the Philippines. I’m unbeaten here, and it’s because of all the support from the fans. It’s a huge privilege to face such a great competitor in Alex Silva. He’s a former world champion and has excellent BJJ, so this will be a huge challenge for me. I’m ready to face it.” Alex Silva, former ONE Strawweight World Champion, stated: “First of all, I would like to say I really appreciate the support and respect the fans have given me here in the Philippines, even if I am going to face your hometown hero, Joshua Pacio. One thing you can expect from me is that I will put my whole heart into this match and give a good performance for all the Filipinos. It has been a long two year journey for me to get back into title contention, and I’m happy to be given another shot. For me, the harder the path the better because it helps me improve as a fighter. Joshua is a young and well-rounded athlete, and I have a lot of respect for him. But I believe this is my time now.” Eduard Folayang, 2-time ONE Lightweight World Champion, stated: “I want to start the year on a high note, with a statement-making victory. I’m hungrier than ever before to make another run at the world title. The last-minute change of opponent is fine, I’ve been in this situation before. It’s a good test for my adaptability, and I think this opponent is going to push me to my limits. I’m looking forward to this Friday night and I’m ready to give it my all for the Filipino fans." Danny Kingad, ONE Athlete, stated: “I learned a lot the past year, and I’ve grown so much as a martial artist and as a competitor in this sport. Joining the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix was a great experience, it really helped me a lot in terms of gaining the experience of competing against the best in the world. I feel like I’m more disciplined now as an athlete, and I am laser focused on getting better. I plan to showcase all the new skills I learned in this next fight.” Lito Adiwang, ONE Athlete, stated: “I am excited to perform in front of all the Filipino fans here in Manila. It has always been a dream of mine to compete on the biggest stage here in my home country. You don’t want to miss what’s going to happen on Friday night. The Thunder Kid is coming with a surprise for all the fans.” Gina Iniong, ONE Athlete, stated: “Asha Roka is as tough as they come. She proved that against a tough champion in Stamp Fairtex. I’m looking forward to giving my best this Friday night and meeting the challenge of this great martial artist.” Jomary Torres, ONE Athlete, stated: “All I can say is that I am excited to face Jenny Huang. She is a dangerous grappler, has decent striking, and is a former ONE World Title challenger, so she has that experience at the highest level. I’ll do my best to get the win.” Additional athlete quotes, interviews, and photos available upon request. For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

About ONE Championship™ ONE Championship (ONE) is the largest global sports media property in Asian history. Headquartered in Singapore, ONE is the world's largest martial arts organization, hosting bouts across all styles of martial arts such as Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Karate, Kung Fu, Silat, Sanda, Lethwei, Mixed Martial Arts, Tae Kwon Do, Submission Grappling, and more. ONE hosts the biggest sports entertainment events across Asia, featuring some of the world's best martial artists and world champions on the largest global media broadcast in Asia. ONE Esports, a subsidiary of ONE Championship, runs Asia's largest global esports Championship Series with some of the biggest blockbuster game titles in the world. With a focus on both martial arts and esports, ONE Championship is currently the largest producer of millennial live sports content in Asia. In addition to its digital platforms, ONE Championship broadcasts to over 2.6 billion potential viewers across 140+ countries with some of the largest global free-to-air and digital broadcasters, including Star Sports, Tencent, ABS-CBN, Astro, ClaroSports, Startimes, Fox Sports, Thairath TV, Turner Sports, Skynet, Mediacorp, Great Sports, Mediaset Italia, ProSiebenSat.1, Dubai Sports, and more.

Eduard Folayang Up Against Dangerous Pieter Buist Wants to Prove Something to Himself

The journey to becoming a World Champion has been a memorable one for Eduard Folayang.

Folayang, a former two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion, looks to start off 2020 with a bang when he faces Pieter Buist at ONE: FIRE & FURY on January 31 from the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. 

For the veteran leader of Team Lakay, overcoming a difficult 2019 has only made him stronger and hungrier to climb back up the ladder this year.

“The best thing about martial arts is that we have learned that it is the process for us to be a better human being,” Folayang said. 

“I always strive to be a better martial artist. Setbacks help make us stronger to overcome more difficult challenges in life.”

The 35-year-old native of Baguio City got back into the win column this past November when he scored a technical decision over Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu at ONE: MASTERS OF FATE. 

Folayang’s victory came on the heels of back-to-back submission defeats at the hands of former UFC Lightweight World Champion Eddie Alvarez and fellow former two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya Aoki.

“It was very challenging,” Folayang said. 

“I lost both via submission, so that was definitely tough (but) that is life. The first one was just a single mistake. That loss to Shinya was because of a single mistake.

“Then, the next one was against Eddie Alvarez. I almost won, but it slipped away.”

While all defeats can be tough to overcome mentally, the setback for Folayang against Alvarez was a little more difficult.

“It hurt the most because I prepared well for that one,” he said. “But life must go on.”

Folayang has worked hard to make himself a better athlete through the battles. After a 2014 loss to Timofey Nastyukhin, he reeled off four consecutive wins, including a 2016 third round finish of Aoki to win the ONE World Title for the first time.

In 2017, Folayang secured his first title defense with a five-round decision over Ev Ting. He lost the belt to Martin Nguyen later that year, but again rebounded, winning three in a row including a decision over Amir Khan for the vacant belt. 

Now, with the win over Tsogookhuu on his resume, “Landslide” will look to make it two in a row against Buist. 

“I need to win my next fights,” he said. “I need to be in shape. I need to reclaim what I have lost.

“If I become the World Champion for the third time, it will prove something to myself. There will be no doubt about my achievements. That is my aim.”