Former WEC/UFC fighter Kamal Shalorus snapped a three fight losing streak on Friday at ONE FC 9 when he defeated Eduard Folayang by unanimous decision.
Shalorus opened the fight with a two punch combination and went for a double leg takedown and got the fight to the ground for a moment with a leg trip. Folayang would get back to his feet and they would grapple against the fence.
Shalorus was able to get the fight to the ground but Folayang would scramble back to his feet. The fighters exchanged strikes which included Folayang attempting a spinning back fist.
After Folayang missed a head kick, Shalorus took the fight to the ground with a little more than 90 seconds left in the opening round. He landed several short strikes on the ground and landed a kick to the face as Folayang got back to his feet. Folayang did land two kicks before the bell sounded to end the opening round.
As the second round opened, both fighters threw wild punches before Shalorus took the fight to the ground and got the back of his opponent. Folayang was able to get back to his feet but Shalorus took the fight right back to the ground. Once again, Folayang got back to his feet and landed a left kick that backed up Shalorus.
Folayang started to become the aggressor in the fight but he missed a head kick and Shalorus once again took the fight to the ground. While on the ground, Shalorus went for an arm triangle choke but was unable to lock in the submission. With being unable to get the submission, he landed several short elbows before going for another arm triangle choke. Folayang was able to defend the submission and made it to the final bell of the second round.
In the final round, Shalorus was coming forward and Folayang once again missed a spinning head kick but Shalorus was unable to catch the leg for a takedown like in the previous rounds. Shalorus did get a takedown but Folayang immediately went for a guillotine choke but Shalorus escaped.
While on the ground, Shalorus was able to advance his position and attempted to get the back of his opponent. Folayang was able to get back to his feet and separate from Shalorus. With ten seconds left in the fight, Shalorus was able to secure a takedown and he earned a decision victory.
The win by Shalorus (8-3-2) snaps a three fight losing streak and his last three wins have come by decision.
ONE FC 9 Results:
Kamal Shalorus def. Eduard Folayang via unanimous decision
Andrew Leone def. Geje Eustaquio via unanimous decision
Yusup Saadulaev def. Ryan Diaz via submission (d’arce choke) – Round 2, 2:57
Lowen Tynanes def. Felipe Enomoto via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:41
Tony Johnson def. Tim Sylvia via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 3, 3:25