‘I’m Not Too Worried About His Striking’ – Robin Catalan Confident He Can Finish Elipitua Siregar
Filipino martial arts veteran Robin Catalan is looking to break into the top five of the strawweight MMA rankings, and if he can defeat his next opponent, it would certainly push him in the right direction.
Catalan is scheduled to face rising Indonesian star Elipitua “The Magician” Siregar at ONE 157: Petchmorakot vs. Vienot, which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium this Friday, 20 May.
The 31-year-old Filipino knows just how dangerous of an opponent Siregar is, particularly on the mat. But Catalan – an IFMA Muay Thai Champion – thinks he can compete with “The Magician” anywhere the fight goes, especially in the stand-up department.
Catalan said:
“I believe his best strengths are his wrestling and his ground game. I’m not too worried about his striking.
“Of course, if I find the opening to make him tap, we’ll take it. I want to show that I have that in my game as well.”
Ever since making his MMA debut in ONE Championship back in 2018, Siregar has utilized his grappling to rattle off four victories. Moreover, he finished all four opponents – three via rear-naked choke and another one via TKO.
However, Catalan noticed something in the Indonesian Wrestling Champion’s two losses against Liu Peng Shuai and Senzo Ikeda that could hold the key to victory.
The Filipino said:
“I think I can handle his wrestling easily. We’re not lacking in training. We’re focused on improving our wrestling and even incorporated it into our game plan. I’m looking to find my timing and see where I can get a knockout.
“I think he gasses out when he wrestles, so I will be looking for an opening and use his own strength against him.”
Robin Catalan Eyes Top-Five Spot, Rematch With Gustavo Balart
A victory for Robin Catalan over Elipitua Siregar would be huge for the Filipino’s stock, and it may be just enough to earn him a rematch with a man he has already beaten.
“The Ilonggo” is fixated on securing another fight with #4-ranked strawweight MMA contender Gustavo Balart.
Catalan knocked out the 4-foot-11 beast with a jaw-dropping head kick at ONE: MASTERS OF FATE in November 2019.
Balart rebounded from that loss by defeating Japanese phenom Ryuto Sawada and former strawweight king Yosuke Saruta to earn his place in the top-five rankings.
Now, Catalan wants to take his spot.
“He’s in the top five, and I want that. I’ll let him get a rematch with me if he likes, so that I can prove that my win was no fluke.
“My plan is to make my way into the top five. I see these guys in the top five, and I want to prove that I belong in that group as well. I want to prove that I belong among the best. I need to focus on my game plan and execute it perfectly so that I can have a shot at that.”
Robin Catalan told ONE Championship
