Resurgent Rene Catalan makes it 6 in a row, stops former champ Yoshitaka Naito

Rene Catalan pummels a defenseless Yoshitaka Naito in their strawweight bout in ONE: Reign of Valor Friday night in Myanmar. Photo from ONE Championship

Filipino Rene Catalan vowed to beat Yoshitaka Naito of Japan and he delivered in style.

Catalan proved he’s very much primed for a shot at the world title after dominating Naito, a former strawweight world champion, Friday night in ONE: Reign of Valor at Thuwunna Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.

The 40-year-old Catalan pummeled Naito with vicious strikes to the head that prompted referee Kemp Cheng to stop the fight with less than 30 seconds left in the opening round.

Catalan continued his resurgence as he chalked up his sixth consecutive win after dropping his first two fights.

Not only is Catalan winning but he’s also doing it in impressive fashion.

Three of his six wins have come via stoppage while the other three were decided unanimously.