Before the much-anticipated comeback in the Circle, Catalan Fighting System had to overcome adversities after adversities for the sake of the gym's pride and the future generation of athletes.

Rene Catalan, the founder of Catalan Fighting System, formed the Makati-based mixed martial arts stable in 2012 in the hopes of honing young fighters who had embraced the sport.

Catalan himself started his professional MMA journey at a late age.

A multi-titled regional wushu champion, Catalan was unfortunate in the first two years of his career. From 2013 to 2014, his back was pushed against the wall after suffering an armbar submission, a knee knockout, and a no-contest declaration due to illegal strikes.

After a dismal showing, Catalan was forced to take a step back from the Circle. But two years later, his journey came to a blooming success and since then rode on a six-win match streak to take the No. 3 strawweight spot in ONE Championship.

On Friday night though, Catalan, now 41 years old, suffered yet another hurdle after a shocking first-round knockout defeat by unscathed South African Bokang Masunyane, who landed a lethal left high kick that sent the Filipino fighter down the canvas. 

His student, Jomary Torres (5-4), also yielded to undefeated Indian rising star Ritu Phogat by way of technical knockout in the first round as well.

A year of preparation went to naught for Catalan (6-4), who also lost to reigning strawweight champion Joshua Pacio of Team Lakay, by an arm-triangle choke last November 2019.

Read: Catalan eager to bounce back, seeks another fight ‘even next week’

Behind those adversities comes a bigger threat not only to Catalan and his gym but to every single person in the world. The coronavirus pandemic happened.

Due to the deadly COVID-19, the lifestyle of humanity turned upside down. Countries were on lockdown and quarantine, everyone wore facemasks,  businesses closed down, and millions of millions of people died.

Catalan experienced the struggle first-hand himself. with no source of constant income since gyms were prohibited to open shop and no proper food on their plate.

Catalan and his wards struggled big-time while holed up in their gym in Makati to the point that they had to rely on rice porridge (lugaw) and the"ayuda" given by the local government unit. On top of that, he became a victim of an investment scam amid these trying times and many sponsors backed out before ONE: Big Bang.

"During the lockdown talagang, kung masabi ko lang, mahirap pa kami sa daga," Catalan told Manila Bulletin in an online video call Saturday. "Ang hirap. Talagang gumapang kami sa hirap. Tapos 'yung mga ibang atleta hindi rin makauwi."

But the lockdown didn't stop Catalan to continue the grind. Even without walk-in students, he dedicated his time and sweat for his professional fighters, including Torres, and went back to the basics since full-time operation wasn't allowed at that time.

The Catalan patriarch was grateful to a number of people who helped them throughout the pandemic - from the church they were attending, a certain brotherhood fraternity, and even a former student who is now a successful lawyer.

So far, most of his fighters, aside from those in the pro ranks, have already returned to their respective homes and provinces since the conversion to General Community Quarantine in Metro Manila.

Before parting ways, Catalan left an important note and likened their struggles in the same way how Sen. Manny Pacquiao, an eight-division world boxing champion, conquered the hardships of an athlete's life.

"Kailangan seryosohin nila 'yung training. Kailangan 'di lang disiplinado, determinado, o dedikado, kailangan lagyan din nila ng passion para 'di tayo ma-stress," said the Ilonggo fighting coach. "Tuloy-tuloy sila. Even ngayon, niluluto ko 'yung mga record kahit man lang sa future road to ONE."