Eduard Folayang during his Lightweight MMA match against Edson Marquez of Brazil for ONE Championship held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on December 3, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

Eduard Folayang during his Lightweight MMA match against Edson Marquez of Brazil for ONE Championship held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on December 3, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173652171946220221203-one-championship-GC-7900.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Eduard Folayang during his Lightweight MMA match against Edson Marquez of Brazil for ONE Championship held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on December 3, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File"/>Eduard Folayang during his Lightweight MMA match against Edson Marquez of Brazil for ONE Championship held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on December 3, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA -- Former two-time ONE lightweight MMA world champion Eduard Folayang will add another chapter to his rivalry with a very familiar foe when he returns to action in March 2025.For the fourth time, Folayang will face his great rival, Shinya Aoki, in a lightweight MMA bout at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang on March 23 at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. The Philippine martial arts icon has stated his willingness to continue fighting even after having more responsibilities outside of fighting after forming his stable, Lions Nation MMA in 2023. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/3/26/a-lot-left-in-the-tank-before-calling-it-a-career-says-folayang-1712">READ: A lot left in the tank before calling it a career, says Eduard Folayang</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/6/24/lions-nation-mma-celebrates-first-anniversary-1349">READ: Lions Nation MMA celebrates first anniversary</a></div>He has already shown that he can compete and manage a stable at the same time when he stopped Amir Khan in their rematch. Now, &quot;Landslide&quot; is looking to catch up in his personal rivalry with Aoki, which started back in 2016 when the Filipino took his career to the next level. A heavy underdog to the red-hot Aoki entering their first match-up, Folayang shocked the world as he snapped the Japanese&#x27;s nine-fight winning streak and won the ONE Lightweight MMA World Championship for the first time in his career after a third-round TKO win in that encounter. To this day, it still remains as Folayang&#x27;s biggest win in his career. &quot;Tobikan Judan&quot; did get back at him, winning their next two fights via submission to go up 2-1 in their personal count. The rivalry seemed over by then, with the two combatants even developing a good relationship outside the ONE Championship circle.However, it appears that the story is not yet over for Folayang and Aoki.Aoki won&#x27;t be the only Japanese icon in the venue as kickboxing megastar Takeru Segawa finally gets his superfight when he faces Rodtang &quot;The Iron Man&quot; Jitmuangnon in the main event. Also on that card is the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title clash between Adriano Moraes and Yuya Wakamatsu. ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 will also see action that night as he awaits the winner in the interim world title bout Nico Carrillo and Nabil Anane set at ONE 170 on January 24.

Former two-time ONE lightweight MMA world champion Eduard Folayang will add another chapter to his rivalry with a very familiar foe when he returns to action in March 2025.

Former two-time ONE lightweight MMA world champion Eduard Folayang will add another chapter to his rivalry with a very familiar foe when he returns to action in March 2025.

MMA: Eduard Folayang to renew rivalry with Shinya Aoki in March | ABS-CBN

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MMA: Eduard Folayang to renew rivalry with Shinya Aoki in March

MMA: Eduard Folayang to renew rivalry with Shinya Aoki in March

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 11, 2025 10:30 AM PHT

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