Matapos matalo sa katatapos lang na laban sa ONE Championship stage, nangako si Rockie Bactol na babalik na mas malakas.
Ang 19 anyos na Pinoy na naka-based sa Bangkok ay napasuko ng kapwa ONE Warrior Series alumnus Akihiro “Superjap” Fujisawa ng Japan sa third-round technical knockout sa ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS nitong nakaraang Nobyembre.
Ang pagkatalo niya kay Fujisawa ay ang unang pagkatalo niya bilang isang professional matapos ang nakabibilib niyang career bilang isang amateur.
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Isa si Bactol sa tatlong atleta na nabigyan ng six-figure ONE Championship contract sa maiden season ng Rich Franklin’s reality online series.
“It was a tough loss, and it made me realize the things I still need to work on in my overall game,” he said. “The pressure was too much which was more than what I expected. I learned a lot and it will definitely help me grow as an athlete.”
“Losing in front of your countrymen is a hard pill to swallow, but it motivates me to step up my game further.”
Matapos siyang matalo ng Japanese ay siniguro ni Bactol na pagbubutihan pa niya sa susunod na sasabak siyang muli sa ONE Championship cage.
“I lost for a reason, and I know God has his reasons why I lost that match,” Bactol expressed. “There are a lot of things that can be learned from my bout with Fujisawa. It’s one of the good sides of losing.”
Binigyang diin ni Bactol na nagplaplano siyang magkaroon ng malaking pagbabago sa paghahanda niya sa mga susunod pa niyang laban.
“When I resume my training this January, I will focus more on developing my mixed martial arts tools instead of other stuff,” pahayag niya.
“This sport is a continuous learning process, and I will do anything that is needed to always take my game to the next level.”
“I know that there is a lot of work to do, and I’m up for it,” he declared. “Losing is disappointing, but it is part of the game. I am motivated to become better and always have the urgency to improve. I will come back stronger.”
