‘I’ll Win In Any Way I Can’ – Eduard Folayang Ready To Add Another Chapter To His Legend At The Inner Circle 21
Former multi-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang is still writing the final chapters of his legendary career, and he fully intends to make every single moment count at The Inner Circle 21.
The Filipino icon returns to the global stage at Bangkok’s historic Lumpinee Stadium to battle Japanese judoka Shozo “Great Teacher” Isojima in a high-stakes lightweight MMA co-main event. The blockbuster matchup goes down live in Asia primetime on Friday, July 10, streaming exclusively for members on live.onefc.com.
At his absolute peak, Folayang stood as one of the organization’s most beloved figures, delivering iconic moments that defined an entire era of Asian mixed martial arts. A consummate professional, he has spent 15 years in ONE Championship building a sterling reputation based on world-class skills and an unwavering respect for his peers.
Now entering the twilight of that storied career, he faces a hungry 28-year-old Japanese star desperate to reach the heights he once scaled. Yet, the quiet humility that originally carried the Filipino pioneer to the top remains fully intact.
He stated:
“I’ve never underestimated any opponent, and I never will. I can’t say I’m more experienced, although it is an advantage for me, but nothing is certain in this sport.
“I see him as a dangerous opponent, especially if he gets to his spots, which is his wrestling.”
That grappling threat is undeniably real. Isojima announced his arrival in the world’s largest martial arts organization with a commanding TKO victory over Nicolas “El Paisa” Vigna at ONE Fight Night 36 last October, dictating the fight with punishing wrestling and ballistic ground-and-pound that left little room for escape.
Additionally, the 42-year-old legend is highly self-aware regarding their 14-year age gap. He refuses to simply dismiss the physical discrepancy, instead building a calculated strategy specifically designed to neutralize his more explosive foe.
“Landslide” explained:
“The game plan is to make him play to my strengths, which will always be my striking. I need to be careful in instances where he can close in and dictate his style. The key for me is movement, finding my rhythm, and connecting on my combinations.
“This is a good test for me. He’s a lot younger than me. I’m looking at a lot of areas that make him dangerous and erring with caution on these exchanges.”
Once again, Folayang finds himself in a classic striker-versus-grappler battle — the exact kind of clash that has taken his career to its greatest heights and most painful depths.
For all of Isojima’s hunger, Folayang inherently knows that youth breeds mistakes. He has mapped those tendencies carefully through the judoka’s back-to-back losses to Adrian “The Phenom” Lee and reigning ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo.
The old lion still possesses sharp claws, and he will not hesitate to pounce when the opening presents itself.
The Baguio City native noted:
“There are instances where capitalizing on small opportunities will come. Tye Ruotolo is an amazing grappler, and he was able to impose his will. Adrian also finished him on the ground, so I see he still has vulnerabilities there as well.”
Folayang Has Nothing To Prove And Everything To Give
Eduard Folayang understands that Father Time remains undefeated, perhaps even better than most. Yet, he has never lacked the burning motivation to compete at the absolute highest level, even as peers from his era have long since hung up their gloves.
The 42-year-old icon has made profound peace with the physical realities of his age. Inside the walls of Lions Nation MMA, he has completely shifted his training approach to ensure he peaks at the exact right time.
He said:
“I guess as I got older, I feel like the recovery stages are not the same as before. Back then, I could just take a quick nap, and I’d be fine to go again.
“As you age, the recovery is longer, so the key is training smarter. I stick to that principle, and so far it’s been a smooth camp for me.”
For everything he has accomplished, Folayang’s unassuming nature has never wavered. Sharing the July 10 card with his crowned successor, reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio, is a beautiful testament to the foundation he helped lay.
Self-assured without a single trace of arrogance, Folayang steps into the ring with a singular purpose — leaving one more lasting mark on a career that permanently shaped Philippine MMA.
Folayang offered:
“The biggest prediction is I’ll win. How? I guess your guess is as good as mine. That’s a good question, how I’ll win. I’ll leave it as a question for now and have the answers come fight time. I’m just predicting I’ll win in any way I can.”
