HINDI pahuhuli ang atletang Pinoy sa international competition at maging sa Mixed Martial Arts, dumadagundong ang pangalan nina Eduard “Landslide” Folayang at Honorio “The Rock” Banario – dalawang Pinoy fighter na nagwagi ng world title sa ONE Championship.

Itinuturing na pinakamalaking MMA promotion ang ONE Championship kung kaya’t malaking karangalan ang dala nina Folayang at Banario nang mapabilang sa mga kampeon.

Nakamit ni Banario ang minimithing korona nang magwagi kontra sa kababayang si Eric ‘The Natural’ Kelly via fourth-round technical knockout sa ONE Featherweight World Championship sa nakalipas na buwan, habang sinopresa ni Folayang ang mundo ng MMA nang gapiin ang pamosong si Shinya Aoki ng Japan para makamit ang ONE Lightweight World Championship.

Nabigo si Banario na maidepensa ang korona kay Japanese veteran Koji Oishi kamakailan.

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Sa harap ng mga kababayan sa Abril 21, nakatakdang idepensa ni Folayang ang korona laban kay Malaysian-Kiwi sensation Ev “E.T.” Ting sa main event ng ONE: KINGS OF DESTINY sa 20,000-capacity MOA Arena.

“My goal is to retain my lightweight title. Continuing to be the champion is a very tough task, but I accept the challenge. The champions that came before me -- recognized as greats and legends of the sport -- every single one of them faced contenders that challenged their prowess as champions. In April, I will have the opportunity to show the world why I hold my coveted title,” pahayag ni Folayang.

“I am excited to fight again in front of my countrymen. All of my fights in 2016 took place outside the Philippines.

I’m thankful for this opportunity because I can erase the painful memory of my last fight in Manila.”

“I can feel both the pressure and the excitement for this fight. The important thing right now is that I maintain my focus as the fight approaches,” aniya.