Rejuvenated Folayang eyes career rebirth vs Khan

A NEW day beckons for twotime ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang as he makes his much awaited return to the ONE Championship Circle.

The Filipino mixed martial arts legend crosses paths anew with Amir Khan when they collide at ONE Fight Night 14: Stamp vs. Ham on September 30 at Singapore Indoor Stadium.

“I can’t even begin to describe the level of excitement that’s coursing through me as I look forward to the rematch against Amir Khan on September 30th,” said Folayang.

Indeed, it’s seen as a rebirth for Landslide who now leads a new pack under his own Lions Nation MMA stable.

“This fight represents so much more than just a battle in the Circle; it’s a shot at redemption, a golden opportunity to rewrite my story, and a chance to open a new, exhilarating chapter in my career,” he said.

This is also a chance for Folayang to display what he learned in his two-month United States sojourn earlier this year where he and former ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio trained with elite coaches in Greg Jackson and Mike Winklejohn of Jackson Wink MMA and Rafael Cordeiro of King’s MMA.

That’s not even counting the expertise he has garnered from their very own Lions Nation trainers, namely multi-medalled Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Gibran Langbayan and veteran striking coach Don-Don Colas.

“The road to this moment has been grueling, but it’s in this adversity that I’ve found the strength to push forward,” Folayang said.

A lot may have changed in Landslide’s life, but he’s hopeful that the result will be the same when he and Khan tussle again – with his arms raised in jubilation. Folayang dominated the Singaporean in their first duel back in 2018 en route to reclaiming the ONE Lightweight World Championship at ONE: Conquest of Champions.

“I’m ready to showcase the culmination of my hard work, to seize this chance to prove that setbacks are just setups for comebacks,” he said.

This massive rematch will be part of a stacked card headlined by former two-sport World Champion Stamp Fairtex and the red-hot Ham Seo Hee for the ONE Interim Atomweight World Championship.

The students witnessed the live parade and dance performances of cadets. It already brought delight to the crowd but it was surpassed by a jet plane from the Philippine Air Force, which soared in the sky that fascinated those who gazed at it.

He also imparted the ROTC’s purpose is to give values and other traits that will be useful in their lives.

“The ROTC Games are not just about competition; they embody the values that the ROTC program instills in our youth and the next generation. The ideals of leadership, camaraderie, and service to the nation are exemplified by these men and women, who have trained diligently to compete at this level.” he added.

ROTC program is a multisport event that catered cadets to bolster their skills and to teach the importance of physical education.

The Visayas leg will start today until its closing ceremony next Sunday, August 19. There are more than a thousand athletes already registered from region 6, 7 and 8 under the reserve officers’ program from the area.

There will be a Mindanao leg on Aug. 27 and a South Luzon leg in Cavite. NCR will be the last destination for the qualified players, held in Pasig and Manila, but still there’s no definite date as of now.

The pair last met in the Wimbledon final, with the Spaniard prevailing in a five-set classic. Djokovic has not played since that defeat a month ago, and Alcaraz can’t wait to lock horns with the Serb once again.

“I like those battles. I like to know that I can lose, and I can recover it at the same time,” Alcaraz said on Sunday.

“You must enjoy (it) when the battle is against one of the legends from our sport, against Novak.

“I feel I’m (the) main opponent; for me, it’s something crazy, and I’m trying to enjoy.”

Alcaraz got caught out on Friday in Toronto as he lost to American Paul. But the bitter taste did not linger long.

“The main goal is to stay in the top spot,” Alcaraz said. “And if I lose it, try to recover it as fast as I can.”

He added that his recent Canadian setback should remain a distant - if unpleasant - memory.

ROS falls to Emirates for 3rd straight Jones Cup loss

TAIPEI, Taiwan—The first win remained elusive through three games for Rain or Shine as United Arab Emirates escaped with a pulsating 73-71 decision in the 2023 William Jones Cup at the Taipei Heping Gymnasium here on Monday, Aug. 14.

The Elasto Painters faltered in the end game as Hamid Abdulateef Abreiki poured 15 of his 22 points in the final frame to frustrate the Filipinos and pick up his team’s first win in the tournament.

Six of those fourth quarter points also came in the last two minutes, including a triple that put UAE ahead, 71-69.

The Filipinos, though, had their chances in the end game after Nick Demusis pushed ROS closer at 71-72.

The Elasto Painters, however, came up dry in their possession in the final 24 seconds, forcing them to foul and send veteran big man Quais Alshabebi to the foul line with four ticks left in the clock.

Alshabebi botched his two free throws but got his own rebound allowing Abreiki to stretch the lead to two, 71-73.

Gian Mamuyac had one last heave to try and steal the game but his threepoint attempt was likewise foiled by UAE’s defense at the buzzer.

Alshabebi finished with 11 points while Rashed Alzaabi added 10.