(From Rappler.com) SINGAPORE – Eduard Folayang’s long journey to the Promised Land has finally reached an epic conclusion as the Filipino fighter is now a world champion in mixed martial arts (MMA).

Folayang, who is widely regarded as the face of the Philippine MMA scene, defeated elite Japanese combatant Shinya Aoki to capture the ONE Championship lightweight belt in the headliner of the organization’s “Defending Honor” on Friday, November 11 at the packed Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.

The 32-year-old Baguio city native handed Aoki his first defeat in 4 years with a third-round technical knockout.

Joining the elite class of homegrown Filipino world champions in MMA, Folayang aced the biggest test of his illustrious 9-year professional career at the 0:44 mark of the third round.

Folayang had the perfect game plan that he eventually executed in the second and third frames of the lightweight championship clash, but he had to squeeze himself through the eye of a needle to survive the opening salvo as Aoki was able to lure his Filipino opponent into his suffocating wheelhouse.

Aoki effortlessly took down Folayang thrice in the first period and fished for a submission finish with a rear-naked choke.

However, Folayang’s patience and composure paid dividends as he managed to escape twice and tried to force Aoki to engage in a toe-to-toe trade.