While Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang is ramping up the training for his fight against Jeremy “The Jaguar” Miado at ONE X, he’s also noticed how former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang has been preparing for his match.
The 38-year-old Filipino mixed martial arts legend will face Australia’s John Wayne “The Gunslinger” Parr for the latter’s retirement fight. However, their contest on 26 March at the Singapore Indoor Stadium will fall under Muay Thai rules.
Though Adiwang is aware that the fight will present something new for his fellow Team Lakay mainstay, he believes Folayang will still showcase their gym’s core strengths.
“Yes, it’s a big adjustment for him. But I believe he will be able to overcome his opponent,” the two-time Philippine National Wushu Champion said. “After all, Team Lakay is one of the elite strikers in Asia.”
But a victory for Folayang is easier said than done, given his opponent’s extensive list of accomplishments. Parr is a 10-time kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion who has defeated established competitors like Dzhabar Askerov, Lamsongkram Chuwattana, and Yodsanklai Fairtex.
On the other hand, Folayang’s resume is not far behind. He has won 11 major medals in wushu competitions, including three Southeast Asian Games gold medallions. That devastating striking power made him a three-time ONE Lightweight World Champion.
“This is the time to prove his power because he will be going up against a legend who has several belts under his name,” Adiwang shared. “This is a great time to show our base, which is wushu striking. He will bring out the best version of ‘Landslide.’”
When asked whether Folayang will pursue more fights in “the art of eight limbs” or return to MMA, Adiwang leaves the icon to decide his own future.
“I think he will return to MMA. But given a chance to fight again in Muay Thai, I think he will accept,” the 13-4 Adiwang revealed.
Adiwang and Folayang are just two competitors on the stacked fight card celebrating ONE Championship’s tenth anniversary. Four world championships will be on the line, and fellow Filipino Denice “Lycan Queen” Zamboanga will also get her rematch against South Korea’s Ham Seo Hee.
