Ask former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang how he wants to win his upcoming match against newcomer “The Warrior” Zhang Lipeng, and his answer pretty much speaks for itself.   

“For me, I really want to win by submission,” he said. “I think that’s gonna be sweeter for me.”  

Folayang goes toe-to-toe with Zhang in the main event of the previously recorded ONE: BATTLEGROUND II, which airs this Friday, 13 August, in a match that will dictate the Filipino’s trajectory in the organization.  

It’s not just a bounce-back win that Folayang is aiming for, though – it’s a statement win.  

After all, by saying that he wants to beat Zhang by submission, Folayang clearly wants to prove he still belongs on this stage.  

If he can submit Zhang, it will show that “Landslide” never stopped growing depsite being troubled by submission artists in the past.  

In Folayang’s last five losses, three of which came via submission in the first round, he knows there’s no better way to send a message than by flipping the script and winning on the ground. 

“It’s all about continuing to learn. In my last match , I competed against someone who’s been doing that ever since he was a kid. The only thing I can do now is learn from it and bring it to my next matches,” Folayang said.  

”If I win, it’s a big accomplishment. It’s a statement for me in the face of all odds, all those negative talks, that I’m still here.”  

While Folayang is looking for redemption, Zhang is looking to make a lasting impression.  

The Chinese mixed martial arts icon comes into The Home Of Martial Arts winning 21 of his last 24 fights in his home country in impressive fashion.  

For Zhang, he couldn’t have asked for a better dance partner in his debut than Folayang.  

“Folayang is a fighter with excellent stand-up techniques. Because he used to practice wushu sanda, every punch and every kick he throws is hefty. To fight him, I have to be ready at all times,” Zhang told ONEFC.com in a recent interview.  

“Folayang’s stand-up skills are very good. I saw he knocked out many people when I watched his . But ground skills. After someone took him down, he could get up very fast. He also did an outstanding job on some of the ground control movements.”  

Such is the stark contrast of this match. In one corner is an athlete who’s done it all while wanting to prove that he still has more to give. In the other, a strong newcomer looking to make a point in his first foray in ONE.  

It’s a recipe for fireworks.  

“I’m going to have a great match against Folayang. He always fights aggressively with heavy punches and heavy kicks. My style is pretty as well, so it will be an exciting fight and we will give our best to the fans of ONE Championship,” Zhang said.   

“I want to prove myself in ONE through my debut fight, and prove my skills and strength. This is the start of my challenge for the ONE Lightweight World Title belt.”  

ONE returns to action with the previously recorded ONE: BATTLEGROUND II this Friday, 13 August, when Eduard “Landslide” Folayang takes on Zhang “The Warrior” Lipeng in the main event.    

ONE Sports and ONE Sports+ will cut to the broadcast at 9 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT) on Friday, 13 August. Download the ONE Super App for more info.     

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Whether Fighting Or Gaming, Eduard Folayang Honors His Values