Robin “The Ilonggo” Catalan was all praises to Thai foe Pongsiri “The Smiling Assassin” Mitsatit even after he returned home to the Philippines with an unfavorable result in Bangkok.
This past Friday, 10 May, Mitsatit knocked out the Filipino strawweight at ONE: WARRIORS OF LIGHT.
What impressed “The Ilonggo” the most was the young Mitsatit’s toughness, as he was able to hold through the pain when Catalan locked in a heel hook during the early goings of their match-up.
The hometown favorite carried on, and eventually lit up Catalan on the feet. He earned the KO victory with a well-placed knee to the Filipino’s ribs.
“He’s tough. I heard his leg pop during my heel hook submission attempt, but he did not tap. He managed to control me in the clinch, and I struggled in trying to take him down again,” Catalan confessed.
“Though I lost, I felt like I had a good showing. I just fell short in the end. Rest assured, I’ll learn from this, and this will only benefit me moving forward.
Catalan knew beforehand that he was going to walk into the Impact Arena as a heavy underdog against the rising Thai star.
However, “The Ilonggo” showed no fear, and he even forced some tense moments when he took Mitsatit’s back and eventually grabbed on to his foe’s leg for a submission attempt.
While it did not exactly work in the end, Catalan can sleep at night knowing that he gave it his all against “The Smiling Assassin.”
“I knew I was an underdog, but I think I gave it my all. In the end, I fell short, so it’s back to the gym,” he said.
“I was not able to maintain my position when I was going for submissions. That was my biggest mistake. Eventually, he caught me with a huge knee on my ribs, which has given me problems in the past.”
As disheartening as the loss was, Catalan vows to remember this moment — and how much it hurts — to try and fuel himself moving forward.
“I know that a good career still awaits me, for as long as I remain determined and hungry.”
