​Shozo “Great Teacher” Isojima rebounded from recent setbacks in sensational fashion, stopping Filipino MMA legend Eduard “Landslide” Folayang in the first round. The lightweight clash served as The Inner Circle 21’s co-main event, streaming live from Bangkok’s renowned Lumpinee Stadium on live.onefc.com on Friday, July 10. The action started with explosive speed as Folayang, a former three-time ONE Lightweight World Champion, unleashed a sharp left-right hook combination that put Isojima on the back foot early. But Isojima, representing N-Trust, answered in kind with a left hook of his own that dropped Folayang to the canvas. He followed up with ground-and-pound, briefly attempting to isolate Folayang’s limb for an armbar, but the Filipino veteran stayed relentless, scrambling back to his feet and resetting the momentum.
From there, the two fighters swapped heavy blows in a frantic exchange that signaled Isojima’s intent to seize control. A second left hook from Isojima cracked Folayang again, and as the 42-year-old contender wobbled toward the cage, Isojima unleashed one more decisive punch that ultimately forced the referee to step in and call an end to the contest at 4 minutes and 29 seconds of the opening round. The stoppage marked a statement victory for Isojima, who improved his professional record to 7-2 with the win.
Earlier on the card, Detchawalit Silkmuaythai extended his undefeated promotional record with a tightly contested win over Tom Casse in a bantamweight Muay Thai bout. The 18-year-old Thai sensation delivered a pair of knockdowns—one in each round—to secure a unanimous decision, pushing his overall record to an impressive 51-5. In the event’s curtain-raiser, Ali Kelat overcame Elies Abdelali by third-round TKO in a featherweight Muay Thai clash. After trading a knockdown each, the Team Mehdi Zatout and Team Chingiz Allazov standout found the finish at 2:29 of round three, elevating Kelat’s professional tally to 12-1.
This night of action not only highlighted Isojima’s resilience and power, but also showcased a stacked lineup featuring rising Muay Thai talents and seasoned champions across the ONE Championship stage. The dramatic finish provided a clear signal that Isojima remains a formidable force in the lightweight division, while Folayang’s defeat underscored the ongoing evolution of a fighter who has long been among the sport’s elite. Fans and analysts alike will no doubt revisit the highlights and study the tactical shifts that allowed Isojima to turn the tide so decisively in the first round, as he continues his pursuit of higher prominence and more title opportunities within ONE Championship.