In ONE FC’s short existence so far, there have been a few fighters who have emerged as cult heroes for fans, showing a never-say-die attitude and impressive skills. Both Eduard Folayang and Felipe Enomoto have become just that under the microscope that being a star in ONE FC has provided for both fighters. Both men have competed twice now in the ONE FC cage, both with a 1-1 record and even having a shared opponent, with different outcomes, by the way of kickboxer Ole Laursen. Both fighters have also endeared themselves to ONE FC fans with their gutsy performances and impressive fight styles, but as MMA fans know all-too-well, wins will always be the most important part of being a fighter.
Eduard Folayang is well known to fans of Asian MMA with an impressive 11-2 record in MMA and a storied past in Wushu competition, including a Gold Medal in the 2011 SEA Games. Folayang has long been considered the top pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the Philippines, getting what some have described as a Manny Pacquiao buzz around him, and much like Manny, is coming off of a controversial decision loss. At ONE FC: War of the Lions, Folayang took on Ole Laursen and dropped a controversial decision loss to him, but has not complained and instead promised to come back stronger and more focused. He will have that chance at ONE FC: Pride of a Nation in front of a hometown crowd in Manila, The Philippines.
His opponent is Felipe Enomoto, the Swiss fighter with a Japanese Peruvian heritage. Enomoto is probably best known by fans for his awesome entrance mask and his exciting fighting style. Enomoto has fought all over the world against some solid opponents, but has been focused this year on ONE FC. To prove that styles make fights, Enomoto holds a submission victory over Ole Laursen, the fighter that Folayang had problems with in his last outing. Sadly, Enomoto is best known for his latest outing against Zorobabel Moreira where Zoro executed a now infamous soccer kick that fans are still talking about to this day. If anyone were to be able to overcome that, Enomoto is the man to do that, though.
Both fighters have a chance at redemption at ONE FC: Pride of a Nation, with Folayang arguably having more pressure on him to win being one of the main attractions for a hometown crowd. For Enomoto, there will still be pressure on him as his last loss was a valiant loss, but one that fans are talking about. Both men have something to prove in ONE FC and are obviously two of the best Lightweight prospects for ONE FC. It should be a very interesting fight to watch with both men having their backs against the walls and looking to not only put on good performances this time around, but to get back on the winning path and back in the discussion for being one of the best Lightweights in the ONE FC.
