ONE Championship chairman Chatri Sityodtong admitted that referee Olivier Coste made an early call that resulted in Eduard Folayang losing via TKO to Edson Marques.
But more than the controversial result, the amiable promoter was more concerned with where the 38-year-old Folayang is in his career.
“Two things come to my mind. First, I think it was an early stoppage but at the same time, I also think that if Eduard does not change his fighting style… I’m a little concerned,” Chatri told Tiebreaker Times’ Nissi Icasiano.
“Given where he is in his career, if he doesn’t change his fighting style… I thought he was winning the fight but he got reckless towards the end (of round 2) and that cost him the fight.”
In a career that has already spanned 15 years, Folayang made a name for himself due to his striking.
Folayang attacks at all angles, at a fast pace, and with reckless abandon.
It resulted in him winning numerous belts — including being a two-time ONE Lightweight World Champion.
However, as he is in the twilight of his career, Sityodtong hopes that Folayang slows down and becomes more cerebral.
After all, Folayang is already a veteran in his craft.
On Saturday, Folayang suffered his fifth straight loss, dropping to 22-13 in his prizefighting career.
Chatri though is not pulling the plug on Folayang’s mixed martial arts saying that it is the fighter and his coach Mark Sangiao who should talk about it.
“That’s the thing with martial arts, there are many other martial arts disciplines he can compete in,” he continued as ONE also offers muay thai, kickboxing, and grappling.
“It’s really up to Eduard.”
