Fifteen years of Filipino combat sports history walk into the ring again this July, carrying the same quiet humility that built it all.
Former multi-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion Eduard Folayang meets Japanese judoka Shozo Isojima in a lightweight MMA co-main event at The Inner Circle 21 on Friday, July 10. The bout streams live for members from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Folayang has spent 15 years building a reputation as one of ONE Championship’s most respected competitors. That reputation now enters its twilight stage against a hungry challenger.
Isojima announced himself in the promotion with a dominant TKO of Nicolas Vigna at ONE Fight Night 36 last October. His wrestling and ground-and-pound offense have troubled every opponent he has faced.
The 28-year-old Japanese star brings a 14-year age advantage into the matchup, a gap Folayang has no interest in hiding from. That honesty extends directly into his fight preparation.
“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,” he stated.
“I see him as a dangerous opponent, especially if he gets to his spots, which is his wrestling.
“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.”
Eduard Folayang studies Shozo Isojima’s exploitable weaknesses
Eduard Folayang has done his homework on more than just Isojima’s power. He has broken down the Japanese judoka’s two most recent losses for clues.
Both defeats came against elite grapplers, and Folayang sees a pattern he intends to exploit if the opportunity arrives.
“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,” the Baguio City native noted.
“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.”
