As the 10th anniversary of the ONE Championship, there is a special "crossover battle" in the "ONE:X" battle card on March 26. Eduad Flayan, a 38-year-old former lightweight MMA world champion and Sanda king of landslides, will make his first appearance at Muay Thai against legendary Australian Muay Thai champion John Wayne Parr, 45.
For both, the game has a special meaning. Flayan, who was at a low point in the mixed martial arts arena, hoped to expand a new battlefield with victory. After realizing that his youth was gone, John also hoped to win the 100th game of his career, and then retired with a satisfactory posture.
Despite being 7 years younger than his opponents, Flayan doesn't underestimate the Muay Thai legend in front of him. John has won 99 battles over the past three decades, winning ten gold belts including Lion Fight and WMC. He has played classic matches with famous players such as Bo qiu and Yasan Clay, and is recognized as a tough guy in the ring. Flayan: "I don't underestimate my opponent because of my age, I know John is a Muay Thai legend who is experienced and dangerous. A lot of people want to take the opportunity to play against him in the retirement game, and I like to challenge myself. Although I was walking into Muay Thai for the first time, I never backed down. Challenges allow me to grow, I unleash my potential, and I bring a fighting style he's never seen before. ”
Flayan is not a traditional Muay Thai boxer, having won three Gold medals in Wushu Sanda at the Southeast Asian Games before winning the MMA title. The match will be a collision between the Sanda King and the Muay Thai legend. Coincidentally, John once played against the Sanda star Zhang Kaiyin from China, and eventually lost to the Sanda champion. This time John once again faced a sanda player in the retirement battle, perhaps also by providence. "At the age of 45, I finally realized that in the brutal martial arts movement, I was no longer a young man. Thank you very much to Mr. Syutang for trusting me and allowing me to fight a farewell battle at this event. I want to say goodbye to the ring with a wonderful ending, I've won 99 games and I want to make up 100. I've paid a lot for my career and now I want to reach my last potential and leave contented. ”
John also recognises Flayan's prowess: "It's a battle between a MMA champion and a Muay Thai champion, a battle of superstars, which gives me the motivation to train every day." Flayan is a Filipino legend, he is not a typical Muay Thai boxer, his turn attack is very dangerous. I had to be very careful not to make any stupid mistakes. But this time he came to my turf and I would win under the muay thai rules! It was the last time I heard applause, so I had to enjoy the moment! ”
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatry Siyontang believes that Flayan crossover Muay Thai will come to bring a wonderful match. "It's a tough task to play against legends like John. I believe Flayan will do well in the game because he is faster, stronger and younger. In the last few MMA matches, Flajan has played hard, and perhaps this is an opportunity for him to switch to Muay Thai! ”
There is no eternal champion in the fighting arena, but the spirit of challenging oneself is passed down from generation to generation. Will John finally leave with a record of a hundred victories, or will Flajan use his victory to open up a new muay thai battlefield? Who do you support?