It's not yet over for Eduard “The Landslide” Folayang.
Retirement is still not an option for the 36-year-old Folayang after he lost via submission to Japanese fighter Shinya Aoki in the 4:20 mark of the first round.
After a second straight setback to Aoki during one of the undercards of ONE on TNT IV in Singapore, Folayang said he will be ready for two more showdowns with Aoki.
“Along the way, baka may Game 5 pa. Makakabawi din tayo,” said Folayang, who added that retirement is not in his immediate plans for now.
“Retirement? Nandiyan lang iyan. Pero sa ngayon, marami pa akong natututunan,” added Folayang.
Aoki also beat Folayang back in 2019, in 2:16 of the first round via an arm triangle choke for a victory by technical submission.
“Hangga’t nandito pa kami ni Shinya, magmi-meet pa kami,” added Folayang.
The Team Lakay stalwart said Aoki deserves the win after he was able to execute his game plan.
“He really put his words in action. And he really dominated,” added Folayang.
Another fight between the two is not far off as Aoki is open to the possibility of fighting the Filipino again.
“Five years ago, I lost to Eduard Folayang. Today, I got the win. If I have the chance, I would like to have (a fight) with him again,” added Aoki.
If not, a clash with Yoshihiro Akiyama or a rescheduled encounter with Sage Northcutt will do.
“My (four) consecutive wins don’t matter. I’ll just keep on fighting because this what I love doing,” said Aoki through an interpreter.
It was Aoki’s fourth consecutive win since losing his lightweight crown to Christian Lee in 2019.
Aoki, a replacement fighter, wanted to meet Lee once he got past Folayang.
But clamors from his followers in Japan made his change his mind, that’s why Aoki is seeking out Akiyama.