Eduard Folayang: One of the Greatest Filipino Athletes of All Time

Eduard Folayang recognized as one of the 50 Greatest Filipino Athletes of All Time

Name: Eduard Folayang
Pro MMA Record: 22-10-0 (Win-Loss-Draw)
Nickname: Landslide
Current Streak: 2 Losses
Date of Birth: November 22, 1984 (36 years old)
Last Fight: October 30, 2020
Weight Class: Welterweight | Last Weigh-In: 167.9 lbs
Affiliation: Team Lakay
Height: 5'7" (170cm)
Career Disclosed Earnings: $5,000 USD
Born: Sadanga, Mountain Province, Philippines
Fighting out of: Baguio City, Philippines
Married to: Genevieve Aloy ( 2 children)

Eduard "Landslide" Folayang, among 50 Greatest Filipino Athletes of All Time

Eduard "Landslide" Folayang, a proud Igorot mixed martial artist from Sadanga, Mountain Province, Philippines, was added to the book "50 Greatest Filipino Athletes of All-Time". The book published by Vernon Go was launched at the Sheraton Manila Hotel Ballroom on Andrews Avenue, Pasay City on January 21, 2020.

"Everything we do, we must put it to heart... If we continue to embody the values of martial arts, then it will be easier to influence the people with what we do." Folayang said.

Eduard "Landslide" Folayang, among 50 Greatest Filipino Athletes of All Time

Folayang is now among the likes of his childhood hero, boxing legend Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao; pool wizard "The Magician" Efren Bata Reyes; and four-time bowling World Champion Paeng Nepomuceno.

Boxing legend Senator Manny Pacquiao welcomes ONE lightweight world champion Eduard Folayang in his office after bringing honor and pride for the country. | Contributed photo — Boxing legend Senator Manny Pacquiao welcomes ONE lightweight world champion Eduard Folayang in his office after bringing honor and pride for the country. Contributed photo

While the Igorot mix martial artist has already established his legacy as an athlete with two ONE Lightweight World Championship belts under his name and countless gold medals as the Philippine representative at international wushu events, the Igorot warrior has no intention of stopping now.

The Igorot pride said, his ultimate goal is to inspire others through his actions.

"One way or another, of course, we need to win. The more you win, the more audience you inspire," Folayang said. "It's hard to talk and influence people when the results are contrasting. When they see good results, for sure it will attract them."

Eduard Folayang claims ONE World Championship after knocking out Shinya Aoki | ONE FC — Eduard Folayang claims ONE World Championship after knocking out Shinya Aoki ONE FC

Folayang credited the Singaporean MMA promotion ONE Championship for making him one of the most recognizable faces in the mixed world of martial arts.

"ONE is so instrumental in putting me where I am today. Their platform reaches far beyond the Philippines. We're getting known outside of the country and it's because of ONE Championship, the Igorot pride said.

"The good thing about it is that they're focusing on the values of martial arts. I wouldn't be here without ONE. I am always grateful because without them I would not have been part of this," he added.

Folayang also credited ONE CEO and chairman Chatri Sityodtong for doing a very good job in motivating many athletes to participate in the ONE Championship.

Eduard "Landslide" Folayang's Story

Life has not been easy for young Eduard Folayang.

Born in a small town of Sadanga, Mountain Province, Philippines, the future champ was raised under dire circumstances. While growing up, five of his siblings died of sickness. Like any Igorot family, his unschooled parents understood the value of education. Her parents made sure their surviving children could attend school.

Yearning for a better life for his family and to help alleviate his parent's burden, the Wushu practitioner utilized the sport to earn a scholarship from the University of the Cordilleras.

Because of his talent, he was drafted to the Philippine Wushu team. He then won numerous gold medals from the Southeast Asian Games and numerous international competitions.

The Igorot warrior then shifted to mixed martial arts under Team Lakay's father Mark Sangiao. In his debut fight in June 2007, he won a Filipino Welterweight Championship.

URCC and Martial Combat Champion Eduard Folayang | CTTO — URCC and Martial Combat Champion Eduard Folayang CTTO

Folayang then rose to prominence in the Singapore Martial Combat promotion when he knocked over opponents after opponents, capturing him a major event venue at the inaugural show of the ONE Championship in September 2011.

Team Lakay Eduard Folayang defeats Shinya Aoki via third-round TKO for the prestigious lightweight belt at ONE: DEFENDING HONOR | ONEFC — Team Lakay Eduard Folayang defeats Shinya Aoki via third-round TKO for the prestigious lightweight belt at ONE: DEFENDING HONOR ONEFC

In 2016, five years after joining ONE, Folayang shocked the world of martial arts by scoring a third-round technical knockout against ruling champion Shinya Aoki to take the ONE Lightweight World Title.

Folayang shuts off critics after successfully defending his belt against Malaysian martial artist Ev "The Extraterrestrial" Ting.

Manny Pacquiao called him "one of the legends of mixed martial arts in the Philippines," and confirmed the Igorot's superstar status.

Eduard Folayang with his kids Yeshuareigns, Yahamaziach, and wife Genevieve.

Eduard met his wife, Genevieve Aloy, at the gym. The couple tied the knot in April 2015 at the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary in Baguio and were later blessed with two beautiful daughters, Yeshuareigns and Yahamaziach.

Eduard "Landslide" Folayang Fight History

Result	Fighter	Event	Method/Referee	R	Time
loss	Antonio Caruso	One Championship - Inside the MatrixOct / 30 / 2020	Decision (Unanimous)Justin Brown	3	5:00
loss	Pieter Buist	One Championship - Fire & FuryJan / 31 / 2020	Decision (Split)Kemp Cheng	3	5:00
win	Tsogookhuu Amarsanaa	One Championship - Masters of FateNov / 08 / 2019	Decision (Technical)Kemp Cheng	2	2:31
loss	Eddie Alvarez	One Championship - Dawn of HeroesAug / 02 / 2019	Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)Olivier Coste	1	2:16
loss	Shinya Aoki	One Championship - A New EraMar / 31 / 2019	Technical Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)Olivier Coste	1	2:34
win	Amir Khan	One Championship - Conquest of ChampionsNov / 23 / 2018	Decision (Unanimous)Yuji Shimada	5	5:00
win	Aziz Pahrudinov	One Championship - Reign of KingsJul / 27 / 2018	Decision (Unanimous)N/A	3	5:00
win	Kharun Atlangeriev	One Championship - Unstoppable DreamsMay / 18 / 2018	Decision (Unanimous)N/A	3	5:00
loss	Martin Nguyen	One Championship - Legends of the WorldNov / 10 / 2017	KO (Punches)N/A	2	2:20
win	Ev Ting	One Championship - Kings of DestinyApr / 21 / 2017	Decision (Unanimous)N/A	5	5:00
win	Shinya Aoki	One Championship - Defending HonorNov / 11 / 2016	TKO (Punches)Yuji Shimada	3	0:41
win	Adrian Pang	One Championship 45 - Heroes of the WorldAug / 13 / 2016	Decision (Unanimous)N/A	3	5:00
win	Tetsuya Yamada	One Championship 38 - Clash of HeroesJan / 29 / 2016	Decision (Unanimous)Joey Lepiten	3	5:00
loss	Timofey Nastyukhin	One FC 23 - Warrior's WayDec / 05 / 2014	KO (Flying Knee and Soccer Kicks)Yuji Shimada	1	3:11
win	Kotetsu Boku	One FC 15 - Rise of HeroesMay / 02 / 2014	Decision (Unanimous) Yuji Shimada	3	5:00
win	Vincent Latoel	One FC 13 - Moment of TruthDec / 06 / 2013	Decision (Unanimous)Yuji Shimada	3	5:00
loss	Kamal Shalorus	One FC 9 - Rise to PowerMay / 31 / 2013	Decision (Unanimous)Yuji Shimada	3	5:00
loss	Lowen Tynanes	URCC 22 - DekadaDec / 01 / 2012	TKO (Doctor Stoppage)N/A	1	6:22
win	Felipe Enomoto	One FC 5 - Pride of a NationAug / 31 / 2012	Decision (Unanimous)Moritaka Oshiro	3	5:00
loss	Ole Laursen	One FC 3 - War of the LionsMar / 31 / 2012	Decision (Split)Matt Hume	3	5:00
win	Wadson Teixeira	URCC Cebu 7 - DominateJan / 13 / 2012	Submission (Elbows)N/A	1	0:56
win	A-Sol Kwon	One FC - Champion vs. ChampionSep / 03 / 2011	Decision (Unanimous)Matt Hume	3	5:00
win	Vuyisile Colossa	MC - Martial Combat 12Oct / 16 / 2010	Decision (Unanimous)N/A	3	5:00
win	Sheri Guleng Bao	MC - Martial Combat 5Jul / 14 / 2010	Decision (Unanimous)N/A	5	5:00
win	Egon Racz	MC - Martial Combat 4Jun / 17 / 2010	Submission (Guillotine Choke)N/A	1	4:40
win	Doo Jae Jung	URCC 16 - ReckoningMar / 27 / 2010	TKO (Punches)N/A	1	3:15
loss	Jon Tuck	Gorilla Warfare 3 - ConfrontationNov / 21 / 2009	KO (Punches)Tony D\'Angelo	1	0:08
win	A.J. Aguon	URCC 14 - AggressionJul / 18 / 2009	Decision (Unanimous)N/A	2	10:00
win	Jerome Norita	Gorilla Warfare 2 - Battle ReadyMar / 28 / 2009	TKO (Punches)N/A	1	0:52
win	Jerry Legaspi	URCC 13 - IndestructibleNov / 22 / 2008	TKO (Punches and Kicks to the Body)N/A	1	0:15
win	Caloy Baduria	URCC 12 - SupremacyJul / 05 / 2008	TKO (Punches)N/A	1	3:41
win	Allan Co	URCC 10 - XJun / 30 / 2007	TKO (Punches)N/A	1	7:24

50 greatest Filipino athletes of all time

The chairman/CEO of the yearbook Grace Glory Go and Vernon discussed the idea of releasing a sports edition at a meeting with fellow Star sports columnists Bill Velasco and Joaquin M. Henson in January 2019. And for the first time in the history of the yearbook, the theme was about sports and it honored the 50 greatest Filipino athletes of all time.

List of 50 greatest Filipino athletes of all time in 23 different sports: