Eduard Folayang Refuses to Underestimate Shozo Isojima Ahead of What Could Be His Final Fight
Filipino MMA legend Eduard "Landslide" Folayang is treating his upcoming fight against Japanese rising star Shozo Isojima as a serious test, and the outcome may determine whether he retires or not.
The former ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion faces Isojima in the co-main event of The Inner Circle 21 on Friday, July 10. The show streams live via live.onefc.com from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Folayang is one of the most experienced fighters on the ONE Championship roster, a Lions Nation MMA product with 23 career victories and 13 ONE wins accumulated across a career that has seen him compete at the highest levels of the lightweight division for over a decade.
“Landslide” knows he is entering the twilight of his career, and he also admits this could potentially be his final walk to the ring. He recently confessed that “this fight could be my transition match,” making this all the more important to watch.
Filipino Icon Refuses to Underestimate Isojima
Folayang has never been the kind of fighter who lets his resume do the talking ahead of a fight.
The 42-year-old Filipino will approach Isojima at The Inner Circle 21 with the same caution he has applied to every opponent across a career built on hard lessons learned at the highest level.
"I've never underestimated any opponent, and I never will. I can't say I'm more experienced, although it is an advantage for me, but nothing is certain in this sport. I see him as a dangerous opponent, especially if he gets to his spots, which is his wrestling," Folayang offered.
Isojima, 28, carries a 6-2 MMA record. Though he lost his last two bouts, he announced his arrival in ONE Championship by stopping a respected opponent via ground-and-pound last year.
Folayang Views Isojima as a Good Test at The Inner Circle 21
The age gap between the two fighters is significant, but Folayang has not allowed it to become a reason for overconfidence.
The Filipino legend has framed the matchup at The Inner Circle 21 as a genuine examination of where he stands at this stage of his career.
"This is a good test for me. He's a lot younger than me. I'm looking at a lot of areas that make him dangerous and erring with caution on these exchanges," he explained.
Isojima's judo background and wrestling game give him physical tools that can neutralize experience advantages, and Folayang's willingness to acknowledge those tools rather than dismiss them is the mark of a competitor who still takes his preparation seriously regardless of the circumstances.
Folayang Makes Prediction For Potential Last Battle
When pressed on how the fight will unfold, Folayang delivered a refreshingly honest prefight prediction. The Filipino legend kept his answer simple and left the specifics exactly where they belong.
"The biggest prediction is I'll win. How? I guess your guess is as good as mine. That's a good question, how I'll win. I'll leave it as a question for now and have the answers come fight time. I'm just predicting I'll win in any way I can," he said.
With the outcome of this fight potentially deciding the future of his professional career, Folayang's calm, focused approach speaks to the character of a fighter who has navigated high-stakes moments throughout his entire ONE Championship tenure.
Isojima is hungry, younger, and fully aware of what a victory over a former world champion would mean for his own career trajectory. Folayang plans to have the answers ready on July 10.
Watch The Inner Circle 21 exclusively on live.onefc.com beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET/4:30 a.m. PT.
