Catalan seeks to buck the odds vs Kongsrichai in ONE’s Thailand card

BANGKOK, Thailand — With the odds stacked against him, Rabin Catalan is optimistic he can still eke out a win in his ONE Championship clash with Kritsada Kongsrichai here on Saturday.

And it showed, especially during a chat after the “Warriors of the World” face off on Wednesday at the Banyan Tree Hotel, also here.

“Nakakakaba… sa interview,” he shared with a chuckle. “Pero sa laban? Kaunti lang!”

Catalan needs that. After all, he is still reeling from the passing of his brother-in-arms Rocky Batolbatol, who figured in a vehicular accident in Cagayan de Oro City July this year.

“Maraming inspirations sa darating na laban na ito,” Catalan said. “Isa na ‘yon (Batolbatol’s passing), ‘yung pamilya ko at siyempre, ‘yung career ko. Tumatanda na rin tayo, so kailangan ding mag-sikap.”

Catalan will also try end his three-match losing skid when he slugs it out with Kongsrichai at the 12-,000-seater Impact Arena.

The loilo City native said he was notified of an upcoming fight last October. Assuming it was going to happen on November, he already began training. With a little over two months in prep time, Catalan, who is fighting out of Mindanao Ultimate Mixed Martal Arts, said he is looking to tap on his long training as an advantage.

“Pag may delays, mas OK,” he shared. “Para maka-training din ako ng maayos at saka matagal ‘yung ensayo.”

“Parehas kaming striking, tapos may wrestling (game) din ako,” he noted. “Siya, wrestler kasi. Siguro maganda ‘yung kakalabasan nito asi parehas kami ng skill (level).

Asked what the fight will boil down to, the 31-year-old Catalan offered: “Conditioning.”

“Dati pina-pangarap ko lang makarating dito. Ngayon, nandito na ako. I-tutuloy-tuloy ko na ‘to,” he declared.