By Adrian Stewart Co

Filipino mixed martial artist Eduard Folayang failed to capitalize on a strong start against American fighter Eddie Alvarez and lost via submission during the “ONE: Dawn of Heroes” event last Friday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The victory advanced Alvarez to the ONE lightweight world grand prix finals, where he will meet Turkish fighter Saygid Guseyn Arslanaliev in Tokyo in October.
Folayang appeared on course to pull off an early upset after dropping Alvarez with a massive leg kick; however, his opponent eventually managed to reverse positions and quickly took Folayang’s back and locked him in a rear naked choke, while forced Folayang to tap out at 2:16 in the opening round.
“I imagined this—pictured this in my head,” said Alvarez. “We’ve seen this and we persevered, dealt with adversity, and pulled off the ‘W.’”
The win, his first since 2017, improved Alvarez’ MMA record 30 wins and seven losses; while Folayang, who suffered his second straight loss, dropped to 21-8./ASC, WDJ