Nguyen leaves Folayang limp to become ONE's first 2-division champ
High stakes once again brought out the best in Martin Nguyen.
In ONE Championship's first clash of titleholders, the featherweight king countered a spinning back kick from Eduard Folayang with a hellacious right hand that rendered Folayang lifeless in the second round, thereby adding a lightweight crown to his trophy case in Friday's main event in Manila, Philippines.
Martin Nguyen KOs Eduard Folayang
— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) November 10, 2017
to become the first 2-division One champion pic.twitter.com/TueUy2Nycc
The 28-year-old became ONE Championship's first two-division champion with the stunning stoppage - this, not three months after he KO'd Marat Gafurov to avenge his only pro loss and win the 145-pound strap.
Nguyen has now won six straight - all by finish - while Folayang saw a four-fight win streak snapped.
In the co-main event, Adriano Moraes submitted Danny Kingad at 4:45 of the first round to retain his flyweight crown.
ONE FlW Title Fight - Adriano Moraes Taps Danny Kingad in 1R – HL #AndStill pic.twitter.com/lw2oWnVlIa
— Jolassanda (@Jolassanda) November 10, 2017
The Brazilian countered a kick with a right hand that sent the challenger to the canvas, after which he slapped on a body triangle and the rear-naked choke that earned him the tapout and extended his win streak to four.
The stoppage marked the first loss of Kingad's eight-fight career.