Folayang, who is also a 23rd SEA Games Wushu Sanshou champion and the URCC XII Super Fight champion, holds a record of 4-0 while Sablan is 15-4 (Rodriguez 16 May 2009).
After the rise of FilAms Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) sensations light heavyweight Brandon “The Truth” Vera and Philippe “Filipino Assassin” Nover, Folayang burst into the international Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) scene with a 52 seconds TKO of Marianas Elite Jerome Norita of Saipan (then 2-1), 20, in a non-title semi-main event at the Gorilla Warfare MMA “Battle Ready” held recently at the Royal Taga Hall of Saipan World Resort, Saipan. It was his international MMA debut (Blogtopia).
Fighters from the Guam, Mainland, NMI, the Philippines, and Pohnpei. Folayang was the only off-island winner in the event )Rodriguez 31 Mar. 2009).
With the win Folayang is coming nearer to his dream of competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world’s largest MMA promotion owned and operated by the Las Vegas, Nevada-based Zuffa, LLC. If this pushes through he will be the first full-blooded Filipino to fight in the octagon. Talks had been made between the managements of UFC and URCC to have a local version of the tournament in the Philippines, starting with a visit by former UFC champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell last August 2008. Folayang intends to compete in the lightweight (154 lbs.) category (Osis).
REFERENCES
Blogtopia. “Pinoy Wins in Saipan MMA Event.” ABS-CBN News. 20 Apr 2009. 30 Apr 2009
Osis, R. “Folayang Eyes UFC Debut in 2009.” Sun Star Baguio. 6 Sep. 2008. 16 Jun 2009
Rodriguez, Nazario Jr. “Pinoy MMA Champ Victorious VS Saipan Bet.” GMANews.TV. 31 Mar. 2009. 16 Jun 2009
Rodriguez, Nazario Jr. “RP's Folayang Stakes URCC Lightweight Belt Against Saipan's Sablan.” GMANews.TV. 16 May 2009. 16 Jun 2009
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