ONE Championship’s fifth-ranked lightweight contender Lowen Tynanes, who defeated former champions Eduard Folayang and Honorio Banario is making his highly-anticipa-ted return to the ONE circle.
The Hawaiian star faced former featherweight world champion Marat Gafurov of Russia at ONE: Collision Course in Singapore as of press time.
Before Tynanes steps back into the circle, Folayang and Banario, both from Team Lakay, wouldn’t mind stepping back onto the battlefield against him in the near future.
Banario, who faced Tynanes in January 2019 and lost via first-round technical knockout feels he could do better if he faced the Hawaiian again.
“Lowen Tynanes is a strong and explosive fighter. His striking has improved a lot. But his strength will always be his wrestling. When he pins you down on the mat, it’s very dangerous. The ground-and-pound is very strong. He can also submit you,” Banario said.
“If they give me a chance to fight him again, I will gladly accept. But it will be down at featherweight where I am stronger. I believe I could defend his takedowns better and keep the fight standing. In a standup fight, I can beat him in many ways,” Banario said.
Folayang, on the other hand, met Tynanes in 2012. He suffered a TKO as well, so he’s definitely looking to take that one back.
For Folayang, being better prepared would be key in a rematch against Tynanes, should it happen.
“Lowen is a great wrestler, and he’s always looking to take his opponents to the ground. I experienced that firsthand when we met many years ago. However, I think I’m a much different fighter now compared to before. If we do meet again, I will prepare hard for him,” Folayang said.
“The hardest thing about facing Lowen is the threat of his takedowns. It’s not easy to escape the ground once you’re there with him, because of his control. He is very good in controlling his opponents,” he added. – Harley F. Palangchao
