Filipino fighter Robin Catalan is hoping to make a clean slate this 2022 when he faces Indonesian opponent Elipitua Siregar in ONE: Heavy Hitters at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Jan. 14.
Robin isn't only fighting for himself but also for the Catalan Fighting System as he aims to bring back the team in the ONE Championship picture.
This after his brother Rene Catalan suffered three straight defeats since 2019 and teammate Jomary Torres absorbed 5 consecutive losses since 2018.
"Dahil sa pandemic, 'di kami nakapag-prepare nang maayos. Kailangan ko talagang bumawi para sa team na 'to para makabangon kami. Pipilitin ko makabawi (We were not able to prepare well because of the pandemic. I need to win for the team)," said Robin, who has a 9-7 record.
Robin also lost against Ryuto Sawada in February last year via rear-naked choke, a regretful experience since he had sustained an injury prior to the match.
The younger Catalan explained that the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to fight out of desperation while sustaining both eye and hip injuries days before leaving the Philippines at that time.
It was a learning moment for Robin to never repeat the same mistakes of heading into a match half-hearted.
"Mostly sa laban ko pinipilit ko na lang lumaban kahit na may injury ako. Minsan 'di ako prepared lumalaban ako. 'Yon 'yong mga mali-mali ko rin (I was forced to fight despite my injuries. I know I'm not prepared well and that was my mistake)," he added. "Dahil sa pandemic napipilitin akong lumaban kahit na dehado ako. Gusto ko rin umangat sa rankings kaya pagsusumikapan ko ulit paano makabawi (I was forced to fight because of the pandemic. This time, I want to make my way to the rankings and I will do my best to come back)."
Siregar, for his part, hopes to continue his winning ways since submitting Egi Rozten in October 2019.
The Indonesian fighter returns to the Circle after more than two years of hiatus with a 4-1 slate.