UFC vet Kamal Shalorus signs with ONE FC, meets Eduard Folayang in May

Kamal Shalorus will return for the first time since his UFC release this past summer.

The Iranian lightweight has signed with ONE FC and will meet Eduard Folayang (12-3) in May. Shalorus (7-3-2) recently announced the news on his Facebook page, and the booking has been reported by additional sources, including AXS TV’s “Inside MMA.”

ONE FC 9 takes place May 31 at SM Mall of Asia Arena near Manila, Philippines.

Shalorus started his career 4-0-1 before signing with the WEC, where he then went 3-0-1 before the merger with the UFC. Of his four fights there, the lone bout without a win was a split draw against former champ Jamie Varner – a fight in which Shalorus lost a point for groin strikes.

But the former Olympic-level wrestler struggled in the UFC, dropping fights to Jim Miller, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Rafael dos Anjos, all by stoppage, and was released. Those three losses were the only ones of his career.

Folayang, one of the Philippines’ most popular fighters, will be looking to get back on track after a December TKO loss from a doctor’s stoppage. Prior to that, he had won seven of eight fights, including a 2-1 mark under the ONE FC banner with decision wins over Felipe Enomoto and A Sol Kwon. Seven of his 12 wins have come by stoppage, including five knockouts.

ONE FC 9 also will feature a bantamweight title fight between champion Honorario Benario and Bae Young Kwon, and Bibiano Fernandes also is expected to return on the card, riding a five-fight win streak.

For the latest on ONE FC 9, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Kamal Shalorus)