AN Eduard Folayang One Championship bout is easily one of the most spectacular Mixed Martial Arts fight you could watch on TV.
That’s because a Folayang fight will always have a spectacular finish because of his gung-ho, go-for-broke attitude.
Early in the fight against Shinya Aoki NOW Championship Lightweight champion Folayang trailed after the first two rounds. The tide turned in the third as he went on to win the fight on a spectacular knockout in the third.
In a post fight interview with Filipino sportswriters Folayang said he knew that he was on his way to victory during the break after the first round.
“Kulay duhat na ang labi niya kaya alam ko pagod na talaga siya.”
Gaining confidence Folayang tried to end the fight with a spectacular flying knee early in the second.
He missed so badly he wound up with his right knee resting atop Aoki’s left shoulder which led next to an earth shaking slam a split second later. From that high up the force of that slam could have been enough to end the fight right then and there.
Thankfully Folayang was made of sturdier stuff and somehow survived the round. By the end of the second Aoki visibly tired and the tide turned in favor of Folayang.
Late in the second round Folayang pushed Aoki against the cage. Dead tired and out of breath Aoki just rested his back against the cage and swallowed several kicks and punches to the torso. The third round was all Folayang as he went on to beat Aoki in spectacular manner.
Folayang’s strength is also his weakness. He fights spectacular fights because of his high risk and high reward attacks.
Meanwhile, have you noticed the similarities between Folayang and Bruce Lee? Folayang is a wushu practitioner which is probably as close a fighting style as you could get to Kung Fu.
Do you even remember the spectacular spinning back kicks of Bruce Lee? Well, Folayang uses them all the time when he fights.
Finally, Folayang and Bruce Lee are also supremely fit physical specimens. They are about the same height though Folayang has the more muscular physique. Hey, look at their faces and hairstyle. They even look alike a little.
All Folayang fights are spectacular to watch. He either wins big or losses big. But he always goes for it and his fights always end in spectacular victories or spectacular losses.
Just like Bruce Lee fights in the movies. But that’s a topic for another column.
★★★★★
I never thought I’d say this but games of the Philippine Basketball Association’s Blackwater Elite are must-watch TV.
Why watch Blackwater? Well, there’s the best rookie this season in Mac Belo who can dribble the length of the court, evade defenders and finish strong to complete a layup. He can also drill the open mid- or long-range jumper. In short, he can score from anywhere on the court. He led Blackwater in scoring as the Elite tallied their first victory this season by beating Phoenix Petroleum.
Dylan Ababou is back in action. He’s long, he’s athletic and he’s deadly accurate from three-point distance. He’s virtually unstoppable when he gets his feet set properly and is deadly on catch-and-shoot situations. He drained three consecutive triples in the third period which propelled the Elite past Phoenix for good.
Then there’s are former National Collegiate Athletic Association Arellano University Chiefs John Pinto (then known as Nard Pinto in the NCAA).
The pugnacious point guard not only sets up their offense but is strong enough, and fearless enough to take it strong to the hoop when he wants to. He’s a throwback point guard in the mold of a Jimwell “Tora-Tora” Torion or a Wynne Arboleda.
With the way Blackwater trades their best players you better watch these guys in action now before they’re shipped off to other teams. Yes the Blackwater Elite games are must-watch TV right now.