Filmmaker Conan Altatis poses with MMA fighter Mark Striegl in Shape-Up Boxing Gym in Baguio City, Philippines. (Photo : Yibada/Conviron Altatis)
Eduard Folayang will be Ev Ting's seventh Filipino opponent. The first one was Mark Striegl, who defeated the Malaysian fighter via rear-naked choke in Macau, China, on Feb. 11, 2012 at "Legend FC 7," which marked Ting's first MMA loss.
Folayang and Ting will headline "ONE Championship: Kings of Destiny" at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, on April 21. The former will defend his title in the lightweight division for the first time.
In a previous interview, I asked Striegl for his thoughts about the upcoming fight between Folayang and Ting. Striegl said he is confident that Folayang is going to win the fight although he also acknowledged that Ting is a strong fighter.
I asked Ting for his comment on Striegl's remarks. Ting told me, "Tell that clown I will fight him as warm up before Eduard for free."
"All I know is my job is to go in there and fight for a world championship for 25 minutes on the 21st (of) April," Ting said when I asked him whether or not he gets intimidated by Folayang. "No emotions."
Folayang won 17 out of 22 fights since 2010. Ting won 13 out of 16 fights since 2011.
Ting will not be the only Malaysian fighter at "ONE Championship: Kings of Destiny." Also from Malaysia is Muhamman Aiman, who will go against undefeated flyweight fighter Danny Kingad.
Indonesian fighter Stefer Rahardian will go against flyweight fighter Eugene Toquero while Kevin Belingon will fight Toni Tauru from Finland in the bantamweight division. Robin Catalan and Jeremy Miado will fight in the strawweight division.
Female MMA fighters at "ONE Championship: Kings of Destiny" include Michele Nicolini and Irina Mazepa. Gina Iniong and Natalie Gonzales Hills are debuting at the atomweight division.
Meanwhile, watch the trailer of an upcoming documentary featuring Striegl, actor Vernon Hanwell and veteran filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik here:
