Eduard Folayang joins One: Inside the Matrix

Eduard Folayang will be making a return at One: Inside the Matrix. Rick Dela Cruz (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The face of Philippine mixed martial arts is set to make a much awaited comeback.

One Championship chief executive officer Chatri Sityodtong confirmed that Eduard Folayang will be part of the promotion's next major fight card, One: Inside the Matrix on Oct. 30.

Sityodtong initially bared on Monday night four world title fights that will highlight the event, but in an online press conference on Tuesday, he revealed that Folayang will be in the undercard.

"One more fight on the card is Eduard Folayang versus Antonio Caruso," Sityodtong revealed Folayang's opponent.

Caruso, a native of Adelaide, is a ground game specialist with four of his seven wins coming by submission.

However, he lost in his first fight under One against Pieter Buist at One: Dawn of Valor on Oct. 25 last year in Jakarta which snapped a 7-0 start.

Caruso will be making his return after a one year layoff.

Interestingly enough, Folayang also lost to Buist by a split decision at One: Fire and Fury at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Jan. 31, the only time One hosted a Philippine event so far this year before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the suspension of sporting events here.

Folayang has lost three of his last four fights, making his match against Caruso a potential make or break match for the 36-year-old veteran considering that the One lightweight title, which he once held twice, will be on the line at One: Inside the Matrix.

Christian Lee, the current champion, will defend his belt against undefeated opponent Iuri Lapicus.

In the other title fights, Aung La NSang will stake his middleweight belt against Reinier De Ridder, Martin Nguyen will put his featherweight title on the line against veteran Thanh Le, and Xiong Jingnan defends her women's strawweight gold against Tiffany Teo.

On the other hand, Sityodtong bared that a few more fighters from Folayang's stable, Team Lakay, will also be at One: Inside the Matrix.

The full card of the said event will be revealed at a later date, after One is done hosting its King of the Jungle showcase from the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday night.

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