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Perseverance keeps Eduard Folayang going

Sports

Perseverance keeps Eduard Folayang going

By Carlo Anolin

Team Lakay veteran Eduard Folayang is keeping himself motivated in his journey back to the top of the lightweight rankings in ONE Championship.

Eduard Folayang

The two-time lightweight champion, who will face Chinese foe Zhang Lipeng in the main event of ONE: Battleground II on Aug. 13, Friday, said perseverance is key despite losing five of his last six bouts in the Circle.

READ: Eduard Folayang sees next bout as more mental than physical

"What keeps me going is I believe I didn't reach my destination yet. I'm still on the journey so there's a lot of potential I need to unleash and that keeps me going," said the 36-year-old Folayang in a recent media availability.

Asked how many more years left he has left in the game, the Team Lakay stalwart gave himself two to three more years.

READ: Folayang opens up on future plans, sets sights on Akiyama

"Of course we cannot predict the things that will come but as for me, I have a goal and until I didn't reach that yet and I can still go then I will continue."

Folayang recently lost to rival Shinya Aoki in their trilogy after the Japanese grappler submitted the Igorot warrior via slick armbar in the first round in ONE on TNT IV.

READ: Folayang: You will see me rise again

Folayang's last win came at the expense of Tsogookhuu Amarsanaa of Mongolia in November 2019, between losses against Aoki, Eddie Alvarez, Pieter Buist, and Tony Caruso.

Zhang, 31, for his part, looks to impress in his promotional debut against a fellow seasoned fighter.

The Chinese veteran rides on a two-match win streak but was also in a two-year hiatus since September 2019 in China's Kunlun Fight.

He improved to a 30-11-2 record with the latest coming from a submission win against Mohammad Naeemi of Iran.

Related Tags

Eduard Folayang Zhang Lipeng Team Lakay ONE Championship ONE: Battleground II

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