# Eduard Folayang

Eduard Ayangwa Folayang (born November 22, 1983) is a Filipino professional mixed martial artist and wushu practitioner who competes in the Lightweight division of ONE Championship, where he is a two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion. He also competed for Universal Reality Combat Championship, where he is a former URCC Welterweight Champion.
Folayang was a member of Team Lakay Wushu in Baguio from 2007 until he left the gym on March 10, 2023, which has produced numerous Filipino champions in URCC and ONE Championship. The Baguio native made his first Martial Combat debut on June 17, 2010, defeating Slovak fighter Egon Racz via guillotine choke early in the first round.
Folayang has won several international Wushu tournaments, including a gold medal at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games which he won with a spinning back kick KO in the final, a silver medal in the 2006 Doha Asian Games, and bronze medals in both the 2005 World Wushu Championship and the 2002 Busan Asian Games.

## Biography

Folayang was born in Baguio on November 22, 1983. His parents are natives of Mountain Province and is of Igorot descent. He endured a very tough childhood with his family living in dire poverty for much of his youth. Folayang even lost five of his siblings due to a lack of access to healthcare.
Folayang started training wushu and boxing when he was 16 years old under the tutelage of head coach Tony Candelaria, who helped him to improve his skills and discipline.
Folayang graduated from the University of the Cordilleras in 2006, and passed his exam to become a teacher. He began teaching English and Physical Education, but six months in, decided to quit to pursue his dreams in martial arts.
After surviving his own impoverished childhood, Folayang now uses his status to promote and help other charities, including raising money for education for under-privileged Filipino children.
Folayang is a Christian.

## Mixed martial arts career
### URCC/Gorilla Warfare

On June 30, 2007, Folayang made his professional debut in the Universal Reality Combat Championship (URCC), the biggest mixed martial arts promotion in the Philippines. The Baguio native fought undefeated welterweight champion Allan Co and defeated him by TKO in round 1. With the win, Folayang became the new title holder.
After 5 wins, Folayang suffered his first defeat at the hands of Guam's Jon Tuck via knockout in just 8 seconds on November 21, 2009. This was his second bout in the Gorilla Warfare promotion.
Despite having a contract with ONE FC, Folayang was allowed to return to the URCC to fight Brazilian Muay Thai champion Wadson Teixeira at URCC Cebu VII: Dominate on January 13, 2012. He won by submission due to elbows in the first round.
On December 1, 2012, Folayang returned in the promotion facing Lowen Tynanes. Eduard Folayang loss by a doctor stoppage due to a big cut delivered by Tynanes' elbow.

### Martial Combat

Folayang entered the Singapore-based promotion Martial Combat in 2010. On June 17, the multi-titled wushu expert took on Slovakian fighter Egon Racz in the MC – Martial Combat 5 event. Folayang won the match via guillotine choke early in the first round.
On July 14, 2010, Folayang fought Mongolian Bao She Ri Gu Leng in a lightweight fight, with the latter's Superfight lightweight title at stake; the event was held at the Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. The Filipino fighter won by unanimous decision after 5 round, to become the new champion.
On October 16, 2010, Folayang fought South African Muay Thai specialist Vuyisile Colossa at Martial Combat 12. Folayang won a decision after scoring multiple takedowns in the first two rounds even though Colossa dominated the third round.

### ONE Championship

He was originally scheduled to make his ONE Championship debut against Muay Thai champion-turned MMA fighter Ole Laursen at ONE FC: Champion vs. Champion at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on September 3, 2011. Laursen, however, suffered a knee injury in training and was replaced by A Sol Kwon, a South Korean on a six fight winning streak. Folayang won the fight via unanimous decision.
A rescheduled bout with Ole Laursen took place on March 31, 2012. In a back-and-forth fight, Folayang lost via a controversial split decision, resulting to the crowd booing Laursen after the decision was announced.
On July 18, 2012, Folayang defeated Felipe Enomoto via unanimous decision at ONE FC: Pride of a Nation in Manila, Philippines. Right after the fight ONE FC President Victor Cui announced that Folayang will earn a shot for the first ever ONE FC lightweight belt on October at ONE FC: Rise of Kings against Zorobabel Moreira. Despite the announcement, Folayang had to pull out of the title fight due to URCC commitments. He was later replaced by former foe Ole Laursen who was again replaced by Kotetsu Boku who eventually became the first ever ONE FC Lightweight Champion. However, One FC officials mentioned that Folayang will retain his no.1 contender status and should face the eventual winner Boku.
On May 31, 2013, Folayang fought UFC and WEC veteran Kamal Shalorus at ONE FC 9: Rise to Power. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Coming from a two-fight losing skid, Folayang faced Dutch fighter Vincent Latoel on December 6, 2013, at ONE FC: Moment of Truth. The event took place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Philippines. For the majority of the fight, Folayang used his takedowns and ground striking offense but was unable to finish his opponent, eventually winning by unanimous decision.
In his next fight, Folayang faced former ONE FC lightweight champion Kotetsu Boku on May 2, 2014, at ONE FC: Rise of Heroes. He won the bout by unanimous decision.
Folayang faced Russian fighter Timofey Nastyukhin on December 5, 2014, at ONE FC 23: Warrior's Way. Despite entering the fight as a favorite, Folayang lost the fight via KO in the first round after being dropped by a flying knee and then finished by Nastyukhin's soccer kicks.

#### ONE Lightweight Champion

After picking up two consecutive wins in 2016, Folayang faced Shinya Aoki for the ONE Championship Lightweight title at ONE Championship: Defending Honor on November 11, 2016, in Singapore. Folayang won the bout and the title via TKO in the third round.
On April 21, 2017, Folayang successfully defended his title against Ev Ting at ONE 54: Kings of Destiny. On November 10, 2017, Folayang lost the lightweight title at ONE 61: Legends of the World to Martin Nguyen via second-round KO, Nguyen would then vacate the title due to injury.
After losing his title, Folayang picked up a couple of wins against Kharun Atlangeriev and Aziz Pahrudinov in 2018 and was given a chance to reclaim the belt at ONE Championship: Conquest of Champions on November 23, 2018, against Singaporean knockout artist Amir Khan. Folayang recaptured the lightweight title by defeating Khan via unanimous decision.
On March 31, 2019, Folayang lost the lightweight title again in a rematch with Shinya Aoki at ONE Championship: A New Era via technical submission.

#### Post-title reign

Folayang's next fight was at ONE Championship: Dawn of Heroes on August 2, 2019. He faced former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez. Folayang lost the fight via submission in the first round.
Folayang next faced Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu at ONE Championship: Masters Of Fate on November 8, 2019. After dominating early in the fight with his kicks, an accidental clash of heads in the second round cut Folayang open and rendered him unable to continue. The fight would go to a technical decision and Eduard Folayang won by unanimous decision.
Afterwards, Folayang was originally scheduled to face Ahmed Mujtaba at ONE Championship: Fire & Fury. However, Mujtaba would later be replaced by Pieter Buist. On January 31, 2020, Folayang lost to Buist by split decision.
Folayang faced Antonio Caruso at ONE Championship: Inside the Matrix on October 30, 2020. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Folayang was to make a comeback on April 28, 2021, against former UFC middleweight contender Yoshihiro Akiyama at ONE on TNT 4. However, he was rescheduled instead to have a trilogy match against Shinya Aoki after Akiyama pulled out due to suffering an injury during training camp. He lost the bout in the first round via armbar.
Folayang faced Zhang Lipeng at ONE Championship: Battleground 2 on August 13, 2021. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Folayang made his ONE Super Series debut against John Wayne Parr under Muay Thai rules at ONE: X on March 26, 2022. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
Folayang faced Edson Marques on December 3, 2022, at ONE on Prime Video 5. He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.
Folayang faced Amir Khan in a rematch on September 30, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 14. He won the fight via knockout in the third round, snapping a five-fight losing streak.
Folayang is scheduled to face Shinya Aoki in a tetralogy bout on March 23, 2025, at ONE 172.

#### Departure from Team Lakay & Lions Nation MMA

Folayang left Team Lakay Wushu, his longtime training camp in Baguio City, on March 10, 2023 due to undisclosed reasons. On June 24, 2023, it was announced that Folayang had formed his own team, Lions Nation MMA, with fellow ex-Team Lakay members Kevin Belingon, Joshua Pacio, Danny Kingad, Jeremy Pacatiw, Stephen Loman and Honorio Banario.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Mixed martial arts

* Martial Combat
** Martial Combat Superfight Lightweight Championship (One time)
* ONE Championship
** ONE Lightweight World Championship (Two time) vs. Shinya Aoki and Amir Khan
** (First reign) One successful title defense vs. Ev Ting
** Fight of the Night (Three times) vs. A Sol Kwon, Ole Laursen and Ev Ting
** Most fights in ONE Championship (23)
* Universal Reality Combat Championship
** URCC Welterweight Championship (One time)
** Three successful title defenses
* Other
** #1 Pound for Pound MMA fighter in the Philippines

### Wushu

* 2002 Asian Games – Bronze medal
* 2005 World Wushu Championships – Bronze medal
* 2006 Asian Games – Silver medal
* 2003 SEA Games – Gold Medal
* 2005 SEA Games – Gold Medal
* 2011 SEA Games – Gold Medal

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 36 matches | 23 wins | 13 losses |
| By knockout | 7 | 5 |
| By submission | 2 | 3 |
| By decision | 14 | 5 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| | | Shinya Aoki | | ONE 172 | March 23, 2024 | | | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 23–13 | Amir Khan | KO (punch) | ONE Fight Night 14 | September 30, 2023 | 3 | 1:57 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Loss | 22–13 | Edson Marques | TKO (punches) | ONE on Prime Video 5 | December 3, 2022 | 2 | 2:53 | Pasay, Philippines | |
| Loss | 22–12 | Zhang Lipeng | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Battleground 2 | August 13, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Loss | 22–11 | Shinya Aoki | Submission (armbar) | ONE on TNT 4 | April 28, 2021 | 1 | 4:20 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Loss | 22–10 | Antonio Caruso | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Inside the Matrix | October 30, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Loss | 22–9 | Pieter Buist | Decision (split) | ONE: Fire & Fury | January 31, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | |
| Win | 22–8 | Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu | Technical Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Masters of Fate | November 8, 2019 | 2 | 2:31 | Pasay, Philippines | An inadvertent headbutt opened cut of Folayang's rendered him unable to continue. |
| Loss | 21–8 | Eddie Alvarez | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ONE: Dawn of Heroes | August 2, 2019 | 1 | 2:16 | Pasay, Philippines | ONE Lightweight World Grand Prix Semifinal. |
| Loss | 21–7 | Shinya Aoki | Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) | ONE: A New Era | March 31, 2019 | 1 | 2:34 | Tokyo, Japan | Lost the ONE Lightweight Championship (170 lb). |
| Win | 21–6 | Amir Khan | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Conquest of Champions | Nov 23, 2018 | 5 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | Won the vacant ONE Lightweight Championship (170 lb). |
| Win | 20–6 | Aziz Pahrudinov | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Reign of Kings | July 27, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | |
| Win | 19–6 | Kharun Atlangeriev | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Unstoppable Dreams | May 18, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Loss | 18–6 | Martin Nguyen | KO (punch) | ONE: Legends of the World | November 10, 2017 | 2 | 2:20 | Manila, Philippines | Lost the ONE Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–5 | Ev Ting | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Kings of Destiny | April 21, 2017 | 5 | 5:00 | Manila, Philippines | Defended the ONE Lightweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 17–5 | Shinya Aoki | TKO (knees and punches) | ONE: Defending Honor | November 11, 2016 | 3 | 0:41 | Kallang, Singapore | Won the ONE Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–5 | Adrian Pang | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Heroes of the World | August 13, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Macau, SAR, China | |
| Win | 15–5 | Tetsuya Yamada | Decision (unanimous) | ONE: Clash of Heroes | January 29, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | |
| Loss | 14–5 | Timofey Nastyukhin | KO (flying knee and soccer kicks) | ONE FC: Warrior's Way | December 5, 2014 | 1 | 3:11 | Pasay, Philippines | |
| Win | 14–4 | Kotetsu Boku | Decision (unanimous) | ONE FC: Rise of Heroes | May 2, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | |
| Win | 13–4 | Vincent Latoel | Decision (unanimous) | ONE FC: Moment of Truth | December 6, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | |
| Loss | 12–4 | Kamal Shalorus | Decision (unanimous) | ONE FC: Rise to Power | May 31, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Pasay, Philippines | |
| Loss | 12–3 | Lowen Tynanes | TKO (doctor stoppage) | URCC 22: Dekada | December 1, 2012 | 1 | 6:22 | Manila, Philippines | Lost the URCC Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–2 | Felipe Enomoto | Decision (unanimous) | ONE FC: Pride of a Nation | August 31, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Manila, Philippines | |
| Loss | 11–2 | Ole Laursen | Decision (split) | ONE FC: War of the Lions | March 31, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 11–1 | Wadson Teixeira | TKO (submission to elbows) | URCC Cebu VII: Dominate | January 13, 2012 | 1 | 0:56 | Cebu City, Philippines | Defended the URCC Welterweight Championship |
| Win | 10–1 | Kwon A-sol | Decision (unanimous) | ONE FC 1: Champion vs. Champion | September 3, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Kallang, Singapore | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 9–1 | Vuyisile Colossa | Decision (unanimous) | Martial Combat 12 | Oct 16, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Sentosa, Singapore | |
| Win | 8–1 | Baoshe Riguleng | Decision (unanimous) | Martial Combat 5 | Jul 14, 2010 | 5 | 5:00 | Sentosa, Singapore | Won the Martial Combat Superfight Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–1 | Egon Racz | Submission (guillotine choke) | Martial Combat 4 | Jun 17, 2010 | 1 | 4:40 | Sentosa, Singapore | |
| Win | 6–1 | Jung Doo-jae | TKO (punches) | URCC 16: Reckoning | Mar 27, 2010 | 1 | 3:15 | Makati, Philippines | Defended the URCC Welterweight Championship |
| Loss | 5–1 | Jon Tuck | KO (punches) | Gorilla Warfare 3: Confrontation | Nov 21, 2009 | 1 | 0:08 | Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands | |
| Win | 5–0 | A.J. Aguon | Decision (unanimous) | URCC 14: Aggression | Jul 18, 2009 | 2 | 10:00 | Makati, Philippines | |
| Win | 4–0 | Jerome Norita | TKO (punches) | Gorilla Warfare 2: Battle Ready | Mar 28, 2009 | 1 | 0:52 | Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands | |
| Win | 3–0 | Jerry Legaspi | TKO (punches and kicks to the body) | URCC 13: Indestructible | Nov 22, 2008 | 1 | 0:15 | Makati, Philippines | Defended the URCC Welterweight Championship |
| Win | 2–0 | Caloy Baduria | TKO (punches) | URCC 12: Supremacy | May 7, 2008 | 1 | 3:41 | Makati, Philippines | |
| Win | 1–0 | Allan Co | TKO (punches) | URCC 10 | Jun 30, 2007 | 1 | 7:24 | Taguig, Philippines | Won the inaugural URCC Welterweight Championship. |

## Muay Thai record

Professional kickboxing record :
| 1 Wins (0 KOs), 0 losses, 0 draw ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time |
| 2022-03-26 | Win | John Wayne Parr | ONE: X | Kallang, Singapore | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 |