MMA
Eduard Folayang refuses to fear Father Time ahead of Shozo Isojima clash at The Inner Circle 21
Published
1 month agoon
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€
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MMA
Anthony Smith pleads not guilty to four felony charges in Nebraska
Published
6 hours agoon
August 18, 2026
Smith has pleaded not guilty to four felony charges stemming
from a July domestic incident in Nebraska.
Court records confirmed
Smith’s plea, resulting in the cancellation of an arraignment
scheduled for Aug. 17. The former
Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title
challenger is now due back in court for a status hearing Sept. 21
in Sarpy County.
Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith faces four felony
charges stemming from an alleged July domestic incident in Gretna,
Nebraska
Smith faces one Class 2 felony count involving an attempted Class 1
offense, a terroristic-threats charge and two counts of
first-degree false imprisonment, all classified as Class 3A
felonies. A Class 2 felony in Nebraska can carry a prison term of
one to 50 years, while Class 3A felonies carry up to three years of
imprisonment and 18 months of post-release supervision.
Prosecutors allege that Smith became involved in an altercation
with his wife at a Gretna, Nebraska, bar on July 26. They claim
Smith threatened to kill his wife, forced her into his vehicle and
later attempted to strike her with the vehicle after she exited it.
His wife was not physically injured, according to prosecutors’
account.
Smith has not publicly addressed the allegations. His wife, Mikhala
Renee Newman, previously offered a different characterization of
the incident, saying Smith was experiencing a mental health crisis
and that she had sought help to protect him from himself.
MMA
Gillian Robertson rejects Din Thomas' apology due to insincerity: "I don't think there's a conversation to be had"
Published
7 hours agoon
August 18, 2026
Zuffa LLCThe relationship between Gillian Robertson and coach Din Thomas appears to have been fractured.
Thomas was in Robertson's corner for the UFC 330 co-main event. Robertson challenged Mackenzie Dern for the women's strawweight title this past Saturday in Philadelphia. “The Savage†ultimately had her five-fight winning streak snapped, and her bid for UFC gold fell short via unanimous decision.
During the UFC 330 post-fight show on Paramount+, Thomas announced that he will no longer be cornering fighters. While many felt the timing of Thomas' reveal was bizarre, the backlash occurred when the longtime coach said he felt Robertson came as close as she'll ever get to winning UFC gold.
During Monday's edition of “Deep Waters,†Thomas apologized for his comments and even called them “despicable.†Despite the apology, Robertson isn't exactly forgiving. On a recent episode of “The Ariel Helwani Show,†Helwani detailed a message that Robertson sent to him (via Home of Fight).
I reached out to Gillian Robertson following Din Thomas' comments and subsequent apology to get her thoughts on the situation. Here’s what she had to say:
“Prior to [Saturday’s broadcast], I didn’t see any sign of what was to be said.
After the broadcast, he had said, ‘I will… pic.twitter.com/NnoonGmkGQ
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 18, 2026
“He did reach out to me privately at 5:00 PM and then sent a voice message apologizing around 7:30 PM, to which I have not responded due to comments he has made since the broadcast, privately, to my team that led me to believe there is not much weight in the apology, such as, ‘Me doing that publicly was more so for TV purposes and ratings,’†Robertson wrote.
The top 115-pounder seems ready to move on from the situation, and she wants to get back to work as soon as possible.
“I don't think there's a conversation to be had,†Robertson wrote. “I'm good with everything. The people who sign my checks are cool. As for now, I regroup, take some time to heal, and I will be back in the gym as soon as possible on the same mission.â€
Thomas noted that he had been considering ending his run cornering fighters long before Robertson fought Dern. The former American Top Team mentor said he thought he'd be done after Tyron Woodley was knocked out by Jake Paul in their boxing rematch back in 2021. Whether or not he sticks to it this time remains to be seen.
Do you agree with Gillian Robertson's response to Din Thomas' apology? Sound off in the comments below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
DWCS Week 2 official after all 10 fighters make weight
Anthony Smith pleads not guilty to four felony charges in Nebraska
Gillian Robertson rejects Din Thomas' apology due to insincerity: "I don't think there's a conversation to be had"
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