Former two – time ONE Championship lightweight world champion Eduard Folayang is set to be honored with the 2024 Sports Personality of the Year award by the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA).
The award will be given on July 20 in a simple ceremony at the Hotel Supreme following the announcement by Dr. Maxwell A. Hagan, the country director of IAWPA Philippines and UN Eminent Peace Ambassador.
“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor. It underscores the importance of perseverance and dedication in achieving one’s dreams. 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,” said Folayang, the chairman and co-founder of Lions Nation MMA
Folayang’s remarkable career began as a bemedalled wushu sanda athlete for the Philippine National Team. His devotion to martial arts led him to transition into MMA, a move that would change the landscape of the all-encompassing sport in the country.
In 2016, Folayang achieved a defining moment when he captured the ONE lightweight MMA world championship defeating long time champion Shinya Aoki via technical knock – out in the third round.
But like all great champions, he faced setbacks along the way but reclaimed the crown in 2018, overpowering Amir Khan, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest mixed martial artists to emerge from the Philippines.
Now, he embarks on a path with his new team, Lions Nation MMA. This signifies a renewed commitment to achieving greatness, rekindling the same fire that has made him a world champion.
Folayang, acknowledged by many as “The Face of Philippine MMA,” is eager to return to action later this year, eyeing a spot in ONE Championship’s two-event United States tour in September and November. NLMonitor
