ONE X: tearful John Wayne Parr bows out with his head high despite final loss – ‘I guess I’m the 99 guy forever’
- The 45-year-old loses decision to Filipino Eduard Folayang at Asian promotion ONE Championship’s 10th anniversary showcase
- Muay Thai legend chokes up while reflecting on disappointment, but says ‘I hope I can inspire younger people to get into martial arts and follow their dreams’
John Wayne Parr ultimately came up short in his quest to end a legendary career on 100 victories at ONE X. But nobody can take anything away from “The Gunslinger”, who left it all out there on Saturday night in Singapore.
The 45-year-old Australian lost a decision to Filipino former MMA champion Eduard Folayang on the main card of Asian martial arts promotion ONE Championship’s 10th anniversary showcase.
On his way out of the cage, Parr received a standing ovation befitting his status from the Singapore Indoor Stadium, which had welcomed fans back en masse for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
“I just wish I pushed harder,” he told the Post backstage soon after. “I felt I did really well in the third round. I just wish I went harder in the first and second.”
“I’m heartbroken. I wanted that win,” he added. “I wanted the 100. Sometimes it just doesn’t go your way. I guess. I’m just the ‘99 guy’ forever now.”