Featuring 11 bouts, “ONE: Reign of Kings” is the third of the four ONE Championship events scheduled in the Philippines in 2018. On the fight card were eight mixed martial arts bouts and three matches under the promotion’s striking-only league ONE Super Series.
The eighth bout of the evening was an MMA bout between Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, 34, of the Philippines and Aziz Pahrudinov, 29, of Russia. They competed in the lightweight division.
Representing Team Lakay, Folayang turned in another complete performance, earning a unanimous decision win over Pahrudinov, who was previously unbeaten. The Team Lakay fighter operated behind a relentless stream of leg kicks that left his Russian opponent hampered throughout the three-round contest.
Folayang connected on his combinations with laser-like precision and dominated the bout as the three judges sitting cageside awarded him the victory. By beating yet another undefeated Russian fighter, the hometown hero improved his record to 20 wins and 6 losses.
On the other hand, Pahrudinov’s record downgraded to 20 wins and 1 loss. “ONE: Reign of Kings” marked his ONE Championship debut.
Before facing Pahrudinov at “ONE: Reign of Kings,” Folayang defeated Kharun “Predator” Atlangeriev at “ONE: Unstoppable Dreams” on May 18, 2018 via unanimous decision. The latter is also fighting out of Russia and was previously unbeaten.
Folayang three most recent victories were all via unanimous decision. While reigning as the ONE Lightweight World Champion, he defeated Ev “E.T.” Ting, 28, of New Zealand and Malaysia via unanimous decision at “ONE: Kings of Destiny” on April 21, 2017.
The press conference for “ONE: Reign of Kings” took place at the City of Dreams Manila in Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines on July 24, 2018. The fight night took place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila on July 27, 2018.
CONAN Daily 