MMA: Rene Catalan looking for early stoppage win over Khim Dima at ONE FC: Total Domination

Singapore – When Rene Catalan steps into the ONE FC cage later on Friday against Khim Dima for their flyweight bout, he will not only be bringing with him the pressure of winning it for the country. Catalan will also step into the ring knowing that he only has five minutes to work with if he wants to win in the 15-minute fight.

“Tatlo yung nakikita kong puwede kong ipantapos sa kanya,” Catalan said. “Yung roundhouse kick ko, yung straight, at submission sa ground. Pero yung gusto ko ipa-tap-out siya.”

[Related: Unheralded Catalan out to reboot Pinoy MMA at ONE FC: Total Domination]

When the two combatants weighed in, the fans watching were taken aback as they saw how tall the Cambodian was compared to the Filipino. “Around 5’8 siya, ako alanganin na sa 5’2",” admitted Catalan as he waited for the bus that will take him back to the hotel.

“Actually wala akong training ngayon dahil wala akong manager,” the Filipino fighter said. “Self-training ako, self-supporting. Kumbaga survival lang.”

Catalan teaches mixed martial arts for a living. Before he weighed in, he was introduced as the product of the Catalan Fighting System. But few knew that he was literally training himself in preparation for his fight.

“Yung mga students ko rin yung tumutulong sa akin sa training. Sila yung humahawak ng pads para sa striking ko. Yung cardio ko at weights, ako lang mag-isa,” he added. Dima on the other hand is in tremendous shape. “Tuloy-tuloy yung training niya e,” Catalan said about his opponent. “Halos buwan-buwan may laban siya na Muay Thai.”

Catalan's words portrayed the fact that the odds are stacked firmly against him. He is facing a six-inch height disadvantage, he is not in great shape physically, and his main strength, his striking, will be difficult to use against a lankier opponent who’s also good at it. But Catalan isn’t ready to give up just yet.

“Either knockout or submission in the first round ang target ko. Wala akong hangin eh. Pag mag-pure striking ako, dehado ako. Kung di ko makuha sa unang bugso ng striking ko, takedown at submission ang gagawin ko,” he said.

Strapped for cash, Catalan could not do anything but continue training his students while preparing for a fight. If he doesn’t do it, his family will go hungry. Now Catalan is out to cash in on the opportunity given to him. He will be fighting on a big stage and a win could change his fortune.

“Kung may training ako, sasabayan ko siya sa striking. Alam ko naming high quality rin yung striking ko e,” Catalan said. “Pero kumpiyansa pa rin ako na kaya kong manalo.” - AMD, GMA News