MANILA, Philippines -- Since making his triumphant return to the ONE Championship cage earlier this year, Filipino mixed martial arts star Eduard “Landslide" Folayang has been on an upward trajectory.

With the goal of climbing back to the top of his weight class, Folayang defeated two erstwhile unbeaten Russians in impressive fashion: he dominated Kharun Atlangeriev in three rounds last May, then outlasted Aziz Pahrudinov in a thriller two months later.

Having redeemed himself from a harrowing knockout loss at the hands of Martin Nguyen with back-to-back triumphs, the former ONE lightweight world champion then accepted an invitation from a close friend to train in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“I just can’t be complacent. As one of the top guys in my division and also a former champion, there will always be a target on my back. I didn’t think twice when it was offered to me to train there,” said Folayang.

The Baguio City native flew out to the United States in August for a month-long training program at the famed Jackson-Wink MMA training facility, the home to a number of world-class MMA fighters such as Jon Jones, Alistair Overeem, Andrei Arlovski, Donald Cerrone, and Diego Sanchez.

• READ: Folayang gets ONE Lightweight World Championship shot in Manila this November

Folayang worked at every aspect of his game at Jackson-Wink MMA, from striking to grappling, and had the opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade from famous trainers Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn.

Brandon “Six Gun" Gibson supervised Folayang’s striking drills.

The renowned Team Lakay member also trained at Jackson-Wink MMA’s branch in Acoma with Nick Urso, a competitor in the sport since 2011 who handled Folayang’s grappling program during his one-month stay in the state.

Folayang likewise spent some of his time on the mats with the camp’s notable names, including Carlos Condit, Holly Holm, John Dodson and Michelle Waterson.

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