Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao is making the necessary adjustments for former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang’s new foe in ONE Championship’s first show in the Philippines for 2020.
Originally scheduled to face Ahmed “Wolverine” Mujtaba, Folayang now takes on Pieter “The Archangel” Buist in the co-main event of ONE: Fire and Fury at the Mall Of Asia Arena on January 31.
“It’s a different game plan. We know the style of Mujtaba and Buist has a different style, so we’ll be adjusting,” Sangiao said.
The team originally prepared for Mujtaba’s grappling prowess, but they will now be up against a Dutchman known for his striking.
But Sangiao believes Folayang has no worries about the sudden change in opponent.
“That’s the nice thing about being a complete fighter and being prepared every time. Yes, we’ll adjust, but it won’t be much,” Sangiao said.
“We know Eduard is a striker as well. He’s facing a striker and I expect this to be a very good match.”
If there is one advantage for Buist on 31 January, it is his length. He carries a seven-inch height advantage over Folayang, but Sangiao thinks Folayang can use his experience to neutralize his opponent.
“As a striker, it’s tough facing someone taller than you. He’ll have his range, but we’re used to it. Eduard is used to facing taller opponents who are also strikers. I think it won’t be an issue,” Sangiao said.
Now it is all about putting things together as they enter the final stretch of preparation for that big night in Manila.
“Eduard is always ready. Right now we’re just watching the matches of Pieter and trying to look at holes we can maximize in our game plan.”
Folayang and Buist will leave it all on the line at ONE: FIRE & FURY on January 31 at the Mall Of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.
Watch the event live and dine with your ONE Championship heroes in the “Boodle Feast VIP package,” which includes two tickets for the event and an access for two to the Boodle Feast on 29 January at the City Of Dreams.
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