Big things await Robin “The Ilonggo” Catalan who is coming off a spectacular knockout victory over Gustavo “El Gladiador” Balart at ONE: Masters of Fate at the Mall of Asia Arena last November.
The immediate plan for the Catalan Fighting Systems fighter is to climb into the promotion’s Top 10 and the most satisfying way to do that would be to battle inaugural ONE Strawweight World Champion, Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke.
Dejdamrong is ranked No. 7 in the promotion’s ranking but he also a second-round knockout victory over Catalan which was registered at ONE: Quest for Greatness back in August 2017.
“I can take on anyone right now because I am so excited to fight after this lockdown, but if I am to choose, I want to face Dejdamrong again. I think I didn’t fight to my potential against him. My preparation wasn’t sufficient, and it showed because he got the KO finish over me.”
Additionally, his older brother and coach, Rene “The Challenger” Catalan, also fell victim to Dejdamrong. A victory over Dejdamrong redeems both losses.
“I just want to finish that first. In a sense, it’s also for our pride because Dejdamrong beat me and my brother in the past, so I just want to get that back,” said Catalan.
Beating Dejdamrong, who remains at the top of his game, will be a tough challenge.
The 41-year-old Evolve representative, also a three-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion, has won three of his last four bouts. Last time out he scored a third-round TKO victory over Muhammad “The Spider” Imran at ONE: Edge of Greatness November, 2019 at the Singapore Indoor.
A victory over Dajdamrong will propel Catalan into the Top 10 rankings of ONE Championship. He promises to be better prepared if he gets another chance against Dejdamrong.
“I’ll certainly be ready. I have to work on my cardio and maybe improve on my wrestling a bit. Of course, I also have to polish my striking because we all know he’s a good striker,” Catalan says.
“You can expect a more explosive version of me in my return. Someone who is hungry and never satisfied.” ONE Championship
Catalan has no doubt there are big things in store for him at ONE Championship. But before anything else, first he wants to avenge the losses against Dejdamrong.
