Eduard Folayang loses to Shozo Isojima at ONE Championship

Eduard Folayang lost by first-round technical knockout to Shozo Isojima at ONE Championship's The Inner Circle 21 card, according to ESPN.

The lightweight MMA bout served as the co-main event and ended early when the Japanese fighter stopped the Filipino veteran before the opening frame expired.

What the loss means for Folayang's career

Folayang, a former ONE lightweight champion, now faces mounting pressure to reassess his trajectory in the promotion. The defeat marks another setback for the 40-year-old, who has struggled to recapture the form that once made him one of Asia's most recognizable mixed martial artists.

Meanwhile, Joshua Pacio continues his ascent through ONE Championship's ranks, creating a stark contrast between the two Team Lakay stalwarts.

Folayang has not yet announced whether he plans to continue competing or evaluate his options outside the cage.

Reported via:

• ESPN MMA — As Joshua Pacio rises, Eduard Folayang reaches a crossroads