Eduard Folayang is poised to add another illustrious accolade to his already glittering career.
The International Association of World Peace Advocates has announced that Folayang will be honored as the 2024 Sports Personality of the Year at the upcoming IAWPA Global Awards ceremony, scheduled for July 20 at the Hotel Supreme in Baguio City, Benguet.
“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor. It underscores the importance of perseverance and dedication in achieving one’s dreams,” Folayang said.
“I am deeply grateful for this recognition, and I share it with my team, my family, and all who have supported me throughout my career.”
Before being recognized as “The Face of Philippine MMA,” Folayang first made waves as a wushu sanda practitioner, representing the Philippine national team in international and regional competitions.
In 2007, he decided to switch to mixed martial arts, a move that has solidified his place as a pillar of Philippine sports.
Nearly a decade later, “Landslide” achieved a career-defining milestone by capturing the ONE Lightweight MMA World Championship against then-titleholder Shinya Aoki in a November 2016 clash, a feat that elevated him to international acclaim.
Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Folayang’s resilience shone through as he reclaimed the World Title in 2018, cementing his status as one of the greatest Filipino mixed martial artists.
Beyond his individual accolades, Folayang co-founded Lions Nation MMA alongside Joshua Pacio, Kevin Belingon, and Honorio Banario. The stable also houses several notable names, including Danny Kingad, Stephen Loman, Jeremy Pacatiw, and Edward Kelly.
Folayang was last seen in action when he scored a third-round knockout win over Amir Khan in a September 2023 rematch.
The 40-year-old Baguio City native looks to report for duty again, with the hopes of strutting his wares in ONE Championship’s stops in Denver, Colorado on September 6 and Atlanta, Georgia on November 8.
