Former two-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang knows that the odds are stacked against his compatriot in WBA and IBF Super Bantamweight World Champion Marlon Tapales. 

Next month, the Filipino pugilist looks to be the first person to beat WBC and WBO World Champion Naoya Inoue when they unify the belts in Tokyo, Japan. 

Folayang, who visited Tapales during his training camp at Shape Up Boxing Gym over the weekend, understands why many people aren’t banking on his compatriot to win, especially since Inoue has looked like a monster. 

“I think it’s fair to look at the stats and past performances to weigh the chances of a fighter in a specific bout,” he said, noting Inoue’s 25-0 record with 22 knockouts. 

But for Folayang, fights aren’t won on paper. They are won with proper preparation in the gym and precise execution in the ring. 

Tapales’ situation actually takes Folayang back to 2016 when he came in as heavy underdog to another Japanese monster, Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki. 

Folayang shocked the world when he captured the ONE Lightweight MMA World Championship for the first time. 

Like Tapales, no one gave Folayang a chance against the dominant Japanese submission machine. However, the Filipino came through, stopping Aoki in the third round to give the Philippines its most memorable win in MMA history. 

"I was in the same situation seven years ago. I know what he’s going through as an athlete, especially if you’re being labelled as an underdog,” Folayang said. 

That said, what is Folayang’s advice to Tapales? Just enjoy the ride. 

“The pressure will always be there. It’s all about finding motivation in it, finding perspective, knowing that there is a lot at stake in the fight,” he added.