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MMA: Coach says Nguyen's KO of Folayang no fluke

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Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/sports/11/12/mma-2017-111117.jpg"/><figcaption>Eduard Folayang and Martin Nguyen tangle in a ONE Championship bout at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday. Nguyen won via second-round knockout. Courtesy of ONE Championship</figcaption></figure></div>To casual fight fans, Martin Nguyen’s devastating knockout of Eduard Folayang might look like a product of a lucky punch.But Nguyen, who became ONE Championship’s first 2-division champion on Friday night, has been throwing that vicious overhand right for some time now.That was the same punch he used to topple Folayang, who was knocked out in similar fashion three years ago.The “Situ-Asian” was able to sneak in the overhand right as a counter to Folayang’s patented spinning back kick. It appeared that Nguyen’s and his coaches were expecting Folayang to pull off the same move, which served as an opening for Nguyen’s most potent weapon.“Throughout this whole six weeks, the spinning back kicks and spinning back fist that come to my head, it was all up to me to adjust,” Nguyen said during the post-fight press conference. “I timed it perfect with that right hand. It was meant to be a takedown but I threw the right hand out of instinct and landed it flush.”The impact instantly felled Folayang to the ground where Nguyen chased him down with a couple more of punches that assured him the ONE lightweight title to add to his featherweight belt.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/11/10/17/mma-champion-no-more-as-folayang-stunned-in-ko-loss">MMA: Champion no more, as Folayang stunned in KO loss</a></li></ul>Nguyen immediately went to the fallen champion and checked his friend out of concern.&quot;Honestly, it really hurt. Because I never ever wanted to see someone I know and like going through that. Unfortunately, it&#x27;s martial artist versus martial artist and I couldn&#x27;t help to have a little bit of hurt feeling for Eduard when got knocked out,&quot; he said.Nguyen’s head coach Fari Salievski made it clear that they planned that counterpunch all along.“Tonight was not by accident, his world title win is not by accident,” said Salievski.“I&#x27;ve known Martin Nguyen since Day 1, he adapts very quickly (in training). You don&#x27;t have to tell him two times or three times.”The fight’s abrupt end surprised even ONE Championship founder and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.The ONE executive said Folayang was winning the bout until he got caught with the punch.“He was the more diverse fighter but Martin really timed that big overhand right,” he said. “But I don&#x27;t want to count Eduard out. He&#x27;s a warrior, a Filipino hero and just like all warriors who fell down, he will get back on his feet.”Folayang indeed got back on his feet that night, albeit with wobbly legs. But his coach, Mark Sangiao, assured that Folayang is alright. “OK na siya,” the coach said in a short text message to ABS-CBN News.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.)

To casual fight fans, Martin Nguyen’s devastating knockout of Eduard Folayang might look like a product of a lucky punch, but it isn't.

To casual fight fans, Martin Nguyen’s devastating knockout of Eduard Folayang might look like a product of a lucky punch, but it isn't.

MMA: Coach says Nguyen's KO of Folayang no fluke

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MMA: Coach says Nguyen's KO of Folayang no fluke

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 12, 2017 02:40 AM PHT

|

Updated November 12, 2017 04:32 AM PHT

Read More:

Eduard Folayang

MMA

Martin Nguyen

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