Mula sa isang maganda at produktibong taon para sa kanyang ONE Championship career, ang strawweight standout na si Robin “The Ilonggo” Catalan ay gusto ng pagababago.
Naipanalo niya ang dalawa sa tatlo niyang mga laban sa The Home Of Martial Arts noong 2018 kasama ang pagpapasuko niya kay Adrian “Papua Badboy” Mattheis sa ONE: BATTLE FOR THE HEAVENS noong Hulyo.
Natigil ang kanyang momentum nang mapasuko siya sa veteran martial artist na si Hayato Suzuki sa ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES noong Oktubre. Dito niya naisip ang mga bagay na kailangan niyang mas pagbutihin upang manalo sa susunod.
“I still want to improve my grappling and wrestling. That is one of our main goals this 2019,” sabi ni Catalan.
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“Those are areas that we, as a team, feel that we lack and needs major improvement, so we will focus more on that for this year."
Gustong ipakita ni Catalan ang kanyang mga bagong natutunan sa laban nila ng hometown favorite na si Stefer “The Lion” Rahardian sa ONE: ETERNAL GLORY sa Jakarta, Indonesia sa Enero 19.
Sa kanyang lima mula sa siyam niyang panalo, kilala si Rahardian sa kanyang slick grappling skills, isang bagay na ‘di kinakatakutan ni Catalan.
Nakita ni Catalan ang kanyang nakatatandang kapatid na si Rene na paghanadaan at talunin ang undefeated Indonesian sa isang strawweight clash sa ONE: REIGN OF KINGS noong Hulyo.
Ang IFMA Muay Thai World Champion na si Catalan ay alam ang kanyang malaking lamang pero hindi siya magpapasawalang bahala.
He knows Rahardian has his own set of advantages, which is why he is working double time to try and neutralize it.
Alam niyang malaki rin ang lamang ni Rahardian kaya’t doble ang pag-eensayo niya.
“I think he’s a good grappler, but his striking is not as a threat as he is on the ground,” sabi ni Catalan.
“I’ll study his match against my brother to see how Rene was able to get the win, and maybe add some of the things I have been working on as well.”
“I just need to follow the game plan that we have," he continued. "Regardless if it’s a decision or a knockout, my hand will be raised after the match.”
“I’d like to have more wins. I know the continuous developments in my game will lead me there,” pahayag ni Catalan.
“Of course, a World Title shot would be great, but I think I need to work on getting more wins to earn it.”
