After falling short in his ONE Championship main roster debut, Filipino rising star Rockie Bactol is eager to come back strong.
The 20-year-old athlete from Bangkok lost to fellow ONE Warrior Series alumnus Akihiro “Superjap” Fujisawa of Japan by third-round technical knockout at ONE: CONQUEST OF CHAMPIONS in Manila last November.
Almost a year has passed after the disappointing night, and Bactol hopes to be included in the final Manila card of the year in ONE: MASTERS OF FATE on 8 November.
He wants to redeem himself by winning in front of his kababayans.
“It was a tough loss, but that night made me realize tons of things as a person and as an athlete. [After] almost a year of non-stop training inside the gym, I’m more than ready to showcase the brand new Rockie Bactol,” Bactol said.
“Losing in front of your countrymen is a hard pill to swallow, but it motivated me to step up my game further. That’s why I’m hoping to be a part of the final Manila card this 2019.”
Bactol has built an impressive career in the amateur ranks and was among the three athletes that that received a six-figure ONE Championship contract in the maiden season of Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series.
But he was sent back to the drawing board after his loss to “Superjap,” and he vows to have learned his lesson after the setback.
“I just want to compete. I’ve been sharpening my overall mixed martial arts game for almost a year. I think it is time for me to show everyone how motivated and focused I am to redeem myself,” Bactol said.
A return trip to Manila is what Bactol wishes for, but he is not picky. For him, it is all about returning to the ONE Circle.
“I’ll be very happy to compete again in Manila, but if they want to put me on a different card then it won’t be a problem. I know God has his reasons why I lost last year. I learned my lessons and I’m ready to start climbing the ladder again until I reach the top,” the MFC Bantamweight Champion added.
Excited and in high spirits, the Lion’s Head Boxing Gym athlete assured his fans that they will see a better version of himself in his next match-up.
“This sport is a continuous learning process, and I will do anything that is needed to always take my game to the next level,” Bactol said.
“Losing is disappointing, but it is part of the game. My urgency to improve was next to none and that was my mindset since the day I lost. I believe that now is my time.”
“Rockie Bactol 2.0 is now ready and I hope my kababayans will be the first one to witness it.”
On 13 October, The Home Of Martial Arts brings fans 28 World Champions, four World Title bouts, three World Grand Prix Championship Finals, and four World Champion versus World Champion match-ups in the historic ONE: CENTURY at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.