Fifteen years of Filipino combat sports history walk into the ring again this July, carrying the same quiet humility that built it all.
Former multi-time ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion Eduard Folayang meets Japanese judoka Shozo Isojima in a lightweight MMA co-main event at The Inner Circle 21 on Friday, July 10. The bout streams live for members from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Folayang has spent 15 years building a reputation as one of ONE Championship's most respected competitors. That reputation now enters its twilight stage against a hungry challenger.
Isojima announced himself in the promotion with a dominant TKO of Nicolas Vigna at ONE Fight Night 36 last October. His wrestling and ground-and-pound offense have troubled every opponent he has faced.
The 28-year-old Japanese star brings a 14-year age advantage into the matchup, a gap Folayang has no interest in hiding from. That honesty extends directly into his fight preparation.
“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,†he stated.
“I see him as a dangerous opponent, especially if he gets to his spots, which is his wrestling.
“The game plan is to make him play to my strengths, which will always be my striking. I need to be careful in instances where he can close in and dictate his style. The key for me is movement, finding my rhythm, and connecting on my combinations.â€
Eduard Folayang studies Shozo Isojima's exploitable weaknesses
Eduard Folayang has done his homework on more than just Isojima's power. He has broken down the Japanese judoka's two most recent losses for clues.
Both defeats came against elite grapplers, and Folayang sees a pattern he intends to exploit if the opportunity arrives.
“There are instances where capitalizing on small opportunities will come. Tye Ruotolo is an amazing grappler, and he was able to impose his will. Adrian also finished him on the ground, so I see he still has vulnerabilities there as well,†the Baguio City native noted.
“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.â€
Zuffa Boxing founder Dana
White hopes to add Gervonta Davis to the promotion’s growing
stable before potentially matching him up against Shakur
Stevenson.
Following Zuffa Boxing 9 in New York, White addressed the
possibility of booking a blockbuster showdown between Stevenson and
Davis, revealing that he has already held discussions with the
latter, having already signed the former.
Zuffa Boxing's Shakur Stevenson deal could lead to talks with
Gervonta Davis
White admitted that he has spoken to Davis and he's definitely
interested in working together in the future.
“I don't know [about booking Tank vs. Shakur],†White said. “I do
love Tank Davis. I'm actually a fan and we've talked to them. I
don't want to speak for him or whatever, but I have talked to him
and I'm a fan.â€
Stevenson recently signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing,
immediately fueling speculation about potential marquee matchups
under the promotion’s banner. A clash with Davis has long been
regarded as one of boxing's biggest fights.
Davis has not competed since fighting Lamont Roach Jr. to a
controversial draw in March 2025. A proposed bout against Jake Paul was
later scrapped amid legal issues, though accusations of domestic
violence against “Tank†were ultimately dropped.
While White did not confirm any agreement with Davis, he reiterated
that Zuffa Boxing's goal remains to make the biggest fights
available.
“You can make these fights and we can only hope,†White said. “We
knew tonight's main event was going to be good, but you don't know
until it plays out. I'm looking to make all the big fights that are
out there.â€
Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White has shared a
timeline for Conor
McGregor's recovery following the Irish star's anticlimactic
return at
UFC 329.
McGregor's long-awaited comeback lasted just 69 seconds as the
former two-division champion suffered a knee injury in his rematch
against Max
Holloway with the first kick he threw. With one fight remaining
in his contract, “Notorious†has begun his rehabilitation and has
his sights set on his Octagon return. White has now weighed in on
when McGregor will be back.
Dana White updates Conor McGregor's UFC return after ACL and
meniscus injury
Days after losing to Holloway, McGregor revealed that he suffered
an ACL and meniscus injury. The Irishman later claimed that he's
targeting a return for the summer of 2027. Speaking to reporters
following Zuffa Boxing 9, White revealed that McGregor is expected
to be sidelined for a year.
McGregor recently shared a video on Instagram of his
rehabilitation, prompting speculation about his recovery. White has
now confirmed and reiterated the return timeline.
“I have no idea,†White said when asked about McGregor's Instagram
post. “We had him on FaceTime tonight, ringside, but you know,
Conor McGregor's out for a year.â€
McGregor is eyeing International Fight Week in 2027 for the final
bout of his UFC contract.
Dana White just confirmed Conor
McGregor will be out for a year pic.twitter.com/2a6BBWgGss
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch)
July 27, 2026
Conor
McGregor announced that his fight next year will be his
last.
‘The Last Dance’ for the Notorious 😤 pic.twitter.com/9buqU8IfrT
Islam
Makhachev believes he already knows Ian Garry's
strategy for their upcoming
Ultimate Fighting Championship title clash.
The reigning welterweight champion's first title defense will be
against Garry at UFC
330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia and the
Russian says he has spent his entire training camp preparing for
his Irish counterpart's evasive, movement-heavy fighting style.
Islam Makhachev prepares for Ian Garry's movement-heavy style
ahead of UFC 330 welterweight title fight
Ahead of his title defense, Makhachev broke down the matchup and
Garry's skill set. The former lightweight champ claims he's
prepared to chase “The Future†in their upcoming bout, given how
the latter has mostly fought on the back foot.
“His skills: I just have to run in this camp too much because I
have to follow him,†Makhachev told MMA Fighting. “He runs too
much. I know his game plan. We always see his fights. He has the
same style always. I will try to catch him, take him down, just
what I did with my old opponents.â€
Garry has trained alongside former UFC lightweight champion
Charles
“Do Bronxs†Oliveira, who fought Makhachev for the 155-pound
title in 2022. However, Makhachev doesn’t believe his former
opponent has much advice to offer, especially considering he made
light work of the Brazilian, submitting him in the second round of
their clash.
“Charles is going to teach him how to tap fast. That’s it,â€
Makhachev added.
Islam
Makhachev on preparing for Ian Machao Garry at #UFC330:
“I just have to run in this camp too much because I have to follow
him. He runs too much. I know his game plan.”