
MANILA – Filipino mixed martial arts fighter Eduard Folayang failed to keep his ONE Lightweight World Championship after a first round submission loss to Japan’s Shinya Aoki on Sunday night at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.
The victory served as Aoki’s revenge on the Baguio City native Folayang after the latter claimed the world championship from the former during their first encounter three years ago.
Aoki immediately imposed his presence on Folayang as he pushed the latetr to the fence before finally getting the takedown. On the mat, Aoki arm-triangle choked Folayang.
Folayang tried to escape from the submission attempt, but could not find a way to escape as Aoki tightened his hold. The Filipino did not tap out until he ultimately went to sleep.
Aside from Folayang, Team Lakay teammate Kevin Belingon also failed to hang on on the ONE Bantamweight world championship following a disqualification loss to Bibiano Fernandes.
Fernandes has been dominant from the opening round as he pushed Belingon to numerous takedowns until the match was halted in the third when the Filipino made an illegal move that resulted to disqualification and stripping of the world title.
Preventing the shutout of Filipino fighter was Danny Kingad, who earned a tough decision win over Japan’s Senzo Ikeda to advance to the semifinals of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix./PN