Rocky Batolbatol. Photo from ONE Championship
Mixed martial arts fighter Rocky Batolbatol passed away on Sunday after figuring in a road accident in his hometown Cagayan de Oro. He was 32.
Formal medical reports have yet to be released on his untimely demise.
Signed under the ONE Championship umbrella for the past three years, Batolbatol has registered a 5-3 record since transitioning from boxing to the world of MMA.
His last fight was on May last year where he submitted to Christian Lee at ONE: Kingdom of Champions in Bangkok, Thailand.
Batolbatol was scheduled to fight Indonesian Sunoto Peringkat at ONE: Conquest of Kings this July before the card was cancelled.
In a statement, ONE Championship expressed its grief following the tragic news, which read: “ONE Championship is deeply saddened by his untimely passing. The organization extends its sincerest sympathies and deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Rocky Batolbatol during this very difficult time.”
Batolbatol’s fellow fighters also paid him a tribute, with Jenel Lausa writing: “Sana nasa magandang kalagayan ka na ngayon, ‘tol. We miss you so much. God bless. Alam naman namin kasama ka na ngayon ni God.”
(I hope you’re in a better place right now, brother. We miss you so much. God bless. We know that you’re with God now.) IDL