ONE Lightweight World Title rivals Eduard “Landslide” Folayang and Amir Khan met for the final time ahead of their match at the ONE:CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS.
Though the world-class martial artists’ face-off at a press conference at the City of Dreams in Manila, Philippines was intense, both men showed respect to their opponent.
They will clash in the co-main event at the Mall Of Asia Arena this Friday, 23 November.
Khan has returned to compete in the Philippines for the second time in his career.
The first time he pulled on the 4-ounce gloves to compete in this famous arena was in April 2015, way down the ONE: VALOR OF CHAMPIONS card. Now he is one of the headline attractions in his first World Title match.
“I’m so excited to be fighting in Manila for the second time – this time for the vacant ONE Lightweight World Title,” he said.
“I’m going to be competing against Eduard Folayang, your hero. I have the utmost respect for Folayang. He is a warrior in the cage, he was the champ, and he is a high-caliber martial artist, but I’m 100 percent confident I’ll get the victory this Friday.
“To be honest if you told me four years ago I’d have to face Eduard I’d think you were crazy. I wouldn’t stand a chance four years ago.
“But Singapore is the fastest developing country in the world, and so it goes with its athletes, and its people too.”
Khan holds the record for the most wins in ONE history, and he can extend his tally to 12 with a victory on Friday, but that would pale in comparison to the honor of earning the top prize in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
“Becoming a World Champion means everything to me. I’m sure Eduard feels the same way. We will put our lives on the line for it. We will give it our all,” he added.
“This is what I’ve been working hard for in these past years. I feel I have grown so much in ONE Championship, and now I’m truly ready.”
Folayang is no stranger to being in marquee match-ups in his home country.
This time last year, “Landslide” was in the main event, but on that occasion, he suffered the biggest disappointment of his career when he relinquished the belt.
Riding a wave of confidence with two victories so far in 2018, he is determined to make sure lightning does not strike twice in his nation’s capital.
“Last year I was in the same place, but things didn’t go as expected. I lost the belt, but I worked [hard], so now there is another story to be told,” he said.
“Of course, that’s what martial arts is. I’m not just here to fight for the belt. I want to prove that even if you fall, there is always 100 chances for us to jump up and show the world a single defeat does not define us. It will unleash the best of us.
“My tough loss last year was very hard to get through, but I really worked hard, and now the opportunity is here again, and I don’t want to miss that gift.
“That’s why I did my part so I could be 100 percent ready for this fight on Friday.”
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