Two-time ONE Championship lightweight world champion Eduard Folayang is back in the winning circle following his impressive debut in ONE Muay Thai super series that sent to retirement his opponent in ONE X in Singapore on March 26.
And just as some people thought Folayang should consider hanging up his gloves, the 38-year-old Filipino legend has proved he has more fights ahead of him when he sent John Wayne Parr, an 18-time Muay Thai and kickboxing world champion, to retirement after their fight.
Folayang, who is the only remaining fighter among those who graced the promotional debut of ONE Championship 10 years ago in Singapore, has unleashed his deadly wushu striking to outpoint Parr all throughout the three five-minute rounds.
The three-time Southeast Asian Games wushu-sanshou gold medalist has punished the 45-year-old Parr with body punches, spinning attacks, and leg kicks, especially in the first two rounds of their lightweight bout.
Folayang went for headhunting with spinning attacks but Parr managed to defend well but not until he was caught with a counter left hook that sent him to the canvass for the first knockdown of the night.
Fans were on their feet when Parr came back strong when he started the third stanza aggressively with a Superman punch that set the tone, while Folayang was content to wait and counter.
Next, a huge flying knee from Parr midway through the round rocked Folayang, and for a moment, it looked like a fairy-tale ending was still possible. He swarmed the stunned Filipino, throwing wild hooks as he looked for a finish, but the Cordilleran warrior was tough as nails.
Folayang managed to recover and connected with a straight right inside the final minute, while Parr went for an acrobatic kick that missed as time expired.
The Cordilleran fighter was all praises on Parr in a post-fight interview, wishing the Australian legend the best of luck in his next journey.
Folayang, meanwhile, hopes to face a karate fighter under Muay Thai rules. – Harley F. Palangchao
