ONE announces champion vs. champion superfight between Eduard Folayang, Martin Nguyen

ONE Championship’s return to Manila on Nov. 10 will feature a superfight in the main event.

Lightweight champion Eduard Folayang is set to defend his ONE belt against reigning featherweight titleholder Martin Nguyen at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines, the promotion announced Tuesday.

Folayang (18-5) won the ONE lightweight belt with a knockout win over Shinya Aoki last November, and successfully defended it against Ev Ting in April. Nguyen (9-1) recently won the 145-pound belt with a second-round stoppage over Marat Gafurov, avenging his only loss in MMA.

“As a martial artist, I am constantly in search of the biggest challenges, the biggest tests of my skills,” Folayang stated in a release. "As champion, I welcome any and all challengers. Martin is one of the best in the world and it is an honor to share the ONE Championship cage with him.

"This is a bout for the fans, and I can’t wait to perform in front of my hometown crowd in Manila once again. I have complete respect for my opponent’s skills and together with my brothers at Team Lakay, my coach Mark Sangiao, I’m preparing to showcase the best version of Eduard Folayang on 10 November.”

Nguyen, who has the chance to become the first fighter to hold two belts simultaneously under the ONE Championship banner, promises "a dog fight” in Manila.

“New Years’ will be coming early this year, because in this fight there will definitely be fireworks,” Nguyen stated in a release. "I'm out not only to make a statement, but to go down in history as the best to ever compete under the ONE Championship banner.

"I have the utmost respect for the lightweight champion, and will definitely not take his skills for granted. But this is going to be a dog fight. It's the first time two champions in different divisions go head-to-head in ONE, and I am excited to give the performance of a lifetime. The real winner of this bout will be the fans at the Mall of Asia Arena.”