Team Lakay stars back in action for Warrior's Way

Eduard Folayang's title hopes hinge on this important fight against Timofey Nastyukhin.
One FC (file photo)

By Dugout Philippines

Team Lakay’s Eduard Folayang, Honorio Banario and Kevin Belingon are back in action and ready to show force inside the cage for One FC: Warrior’s Way to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“Everyone can expect exciting fights from the three Team Lakay warriors who are competing this December,” said Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao, who has been rigorously preparing the three fighters for the upcoming fight.

Former One FC Featherweight World Champion Honorio Banario will take on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Herbert Burns. Banario will have his hands full with Burns coming off three straight victories and looking like a potential title contender in the near future.

Kevin Belingon, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back into the winners’ column in his bout against Koetsu Okazaki.

Belingon could have been the main event at this Pasay show had he defeated Dae-Hwan Kim at their meeting in Malaysia in March. He was dominant in the opening stanza but a rare lapse of concentration resulted in Belingon tapping out to a rear naked choke. Kim moves on to face One FC Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano Fernandes in the main event. Belingon is still in the upper echelon of the One FC Bantamweight division and a win over Okazaki will vault him back into title contention.

Eduard Folayang will meet the undefeated Russian Timofey Nastyukhin. Folayang has looked impressive in recent bouts, picking up wins over the likes of Dutch kick boxer Vincent Latoel and former One FC Lightweight World Champion Kotetsu Boku. Folayang is on the cusp of earning a showdown with lightweight king Shinya Aoki and a victory in this bout will cement that position.

Folayang is said to be focused on his training. “In training, you need to conquer yourself and have a proper attitude to be able to win,” he said.

With so much at stake, One FC: Warrior's Way is shaping up to be a day of reckoning for these Filipino warriors.