ONE: Robin Catalan learns his lesson from TKO setback

Robin Catalan pinned to the cage by Pongsiri Mitsatit in ONE: Warriors of Light. Photo by ONE Championship

MANILA, Philippines—Robin Catalan kept his head held high despite suffering a stunning loss to hometown bet Pongsiri Mitsatit in ONE: Warriors of Light Friday at Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

It was a tough defeat for Catalan, who felt he was on his way to submitting Mitsatit early before the gutsy Thai reversed their fortunes around when he regrouped and pulled off the TKO victory in the first round.

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“He’s tough. I heard his leg pop during my heel hook submission attempt but he did not tap,” said Catalan. “He managed to control me in the clinch and I struggled in trying to take him down again.”

“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,” said Catalan.

The 28-year-old Catalan, who dropped to 9-5, is eager to get back on track and prove that he still has more to show.

“I know that a good career still awaits me, for as long as I remain determined and hungry.”