SURE Eduard “Landslide” Folayang will have a decided advantage in experience and size but he’s not about to take any chances and will do everything to ensure his victory against Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen.
“Martin [Nguyen] is a great martial artist and an amazing competitor. He has earned the highest degree of my respect. There is absolutely no chance that I am coming into this bout underestimating him,” said Folayang.
“I am prepared for the best Martin Nguyen possible, one that has no weaknesses. This bout will be talked about long after it is finished, as two champions face-off inside the cage. I live for these challenges, and I am motivated for victory, for the pride and honor of the Philippines.”
ONE Championship World Lightweight champion Folayang stakes his crown against ONE Championship World Featherweight champion Nguyen at the ONE: Legends of the World on Nov. 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Nguyen will be the decided underdog against Folayang just like he was an underdog against then champion Marat Gafurov.
“Martin [Nguyen] shocked the world in his last bout. Gafurov is not an easy opponent, but Martin showed incredible toughness and tenacity,” Folayang acknowledges. “It brought back a lot of memories of my victory against Shinya [Aoki]. This is going to be a battle between two martial artists who are capable of anything,” said Folayang.
“I am preparing for the best Martin Nguyen possible. That is the only way I can prepare to be at my best. I believe this match is going to be a battle between two high-level martial artists and world champions, and fans have definitely never seen anything like this. It is going to be a battle from start to finish.”
Folayang admitted he was fond of Nguyen but quickly added that it won’t stop him from doing his best to beat his rival.
“Martin and I had gotten to know each other during our tour in the United States last year, and I consider him a friend. But I am definitely up for the challenge, and that is why I accepted this bout,” said Folayang.
Nguyen admitted that while he also liked Folayang he was not about to let a chance of a lifetime slip by.
“I like Eduard [Folayang]. I said to myself I did not want to compete against someone I like and take away their glory, but opportunities like this do not come around too often. And, if I refused to do this, someone else was going to compete against him and take his glory. So it is strictly business,” said Nguyen.