Wushu expert and URCC Champion Eduard Folayang (11-1) will be facing Muay Thai star and fellow Martial Combat champ, Ole Laursen (5-3) on March 31. Officials from the Singapore-based ONE Fighting Championship promotion announced the news earlier today, stating that the lightweight bout will be part of their stacked main card at ONE FC 3.
The duo was first booked to face each other as the headliner of the inaugural ONE FC event last September, until Laursen had to pull out after suffering a knee injury. Folayang was left to to headline against top Korean fighter, A Sol Kwon which won them Fight of the Night honors.
When I spoke to them during the lead up to what was supposed to be their fight last September, both Folayang and Laursen expressed hesitation in accepting a fight against a fellow Filipino, but neither fighter rejected the bout knowing that it’s nothing personal and they can continue their friendship after. That wasn’t the only time their paths have crossed though.
The Team Lakay Wushu product is coming off an entertaining 56 second TKO win over Wadson Teixeira, who is a Muay Thai champ and a BJJ Brown Belt. His corner man, Laursen, was visually disappointed as his teammate was mere inches away from pulling off the upset.
Ole Laursen on the other hand, is coming off that war against Felipe Enomoto on ONE FC 2. The Muay Thai champion was winning handily until Enomoto landed a head kick that led to a rear naked choke finish, snapping Laursen’s 5-fight winning streak.
Most people assumed that loss derailed the planned bout against Folayang, and while the timing is less than optimal, both guys are huge stars in Singapore and their styles guarantee fireworks. That alone was probably enough for the promotion to decide to push through with it.
Both Filipino fighters have been featured at the World MMA Scouting Report with Laursen being the #8 ranked lightweight in the 2010 report, and Folayang being ranked at #6 on the 2011 edition. This fight becomes part of the already stacked main card which so far, includes 4 guys from the scouting report, along with other very popular fighters.
After the jump, check out the rumored fight card so far. Follow me on twitter — @antontabuena
ONE Fighting Championship 3
March 31, 2012 – Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore– Renato Sobral vs. Melvin Manhoef
– Masakazu Imanari vs. Kevin Belingon
– Eduard Folayang vs. Ole Laursen
– Zorobabel Moreira vs. TBA
– Gregor Gracie vs. TBA
– Eddie Ng vs. TBA
– Nicole Chua vs. Jeet Toshi
Related:
Victor Cui Talks About March ONE FC Event In Singapore
Manhoef Vs. Babalu, Imanari Vs. Belingon Set For ONE FC 3 In Singapore
ONE FC 2: Laursen vs. Enomoto Full Event Fight Videos
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