PASAY--Last week, former UFC star Mark Muñoz said that One Championship lightweight title contender Eduard Folayang trained at his gym to hone his grappling game.
[Related Story: Wrestling school closer to reality says Muñoz; collaboration with Vera also possible]
Folayang confirmed to some reporters on Tuesday after a special open workout organized by One at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall what Muñoz said.
"Kulang nga lang yung time, pero si Mark Muñoz, napakagaling na teacher yan sa wrestling. Maganda yung working relationship namin. Yun nga lang, naka-base siya doon sa US, at yun ang naging problema ko," Folayang said after the said event, in which he, Brandon Vera, Joshua Pacio, Mark Striegl, and Rich Franklin taught the audience some basic MMA moves that can be used for self-defense.
Despite the short time they spent honing his ground game, Folayang said about the training with Muñoz, "Maganda naman [ang resulta]."
On how he will continue to polish his grappling game ahead of his title showdown with Shinya Aoki on Nov. 11 in Singapore, Folayang said, "Sa ngayon, I'm training with John Baylon. He is one of the best judo and jiujitsu practitioners, and of course naging maganda rin ang achievements niya. The more na nakikipag-train ako sa kanya, the more na mararamdaman ko kung gaano kabigat ang magiging kalaban ko."
Speaking of his foe, Folayang's impression of Aoki was: "He's a legend in the ground. Kahit naman panoorin natin lahat ng laban niya, karamihan ng panalo niya, [by] submission."
In spite of Aoki's advantage, Folayang said that he is liking his underdog tag.
"Maganda yung nasa underdog ka, kasi the more na pino-prove mo na nagkakamali yung assumptions nila," he said.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
In spite of Aoki's advantage, Folayang said that he is liking his underdog tag.
"Maganda yung nasa underdog ka, kasi the more na pino-prove mo na nagkakamali yung assumptions nila," he said.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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