With the slots of Manila's ONE: MASTERS OF FATE filling up, Filipino featherweight Roel “Akiyama” Rosauro hopes to receive a phone call from the executives of ONE Championship.
In his last match, Rosauro suffered a unanimous decision loss against Indonesia’s “The Terminator” Sunoto at ONE: UNSTOPPABLE DREAMS in Singapore last May 2018.
Now he hopes to get the chance to bounce back in front of his compatriots when The Home Of Martial Arts returns to the Mall Of Asia Arena on 8 November.
“It’s been more than a year since I last fought and I am really excited to compete once more,” Rosauro said. “A lot has changed for me, from my striking to my grappling.”
“There’s a lot to be desired with my start in ONE, but it doesn’t change my mindset in wanting to succeed as an athlete. Now I pray to be a part of the Manila card because I know that it will only push me to perform better.”
After a successful run in his previous martial arts organization, Rosauro impressed the ONE higher-ups and was signed in their stacked roster. Unfortunately for “Akiyama," he has yet to carry over his impressive run and collected two back-to-back losses in a span of three months.
Prior to his loss to Sunoto, Rosauro received an unpleasant welcome in his ONE Championship debut back in February 2018. He suffered a first-round submission loss in the hands of Li Kai Wen of China at ONE: QUEST FOR GOLD in Myanmar.
Both bouts took place outside of his home country, and Rosauro wants to perform in front of his fellow Filipinos.
The Yaw-Yan Ardigma Cebu representative believes that the loud cheers from his fans will help him collect his first win.
“I am willing to fight anytime and anywhere, and I don’t pick opponents. But for me, it’s really different when you’re competing in front of your family. That’s why I’m really praying to be included in the card,” Rosauro said.
“But whether it’s in Manila or not, nothing will change. My goal is to end 2019 with a win. What’s important is to get the victory because it will be a big boost for me as an athlete and as a person.”
The Home Of Martial Arts will bring 28 World Champions, four World Title bouts, three World Grand Prix Championship Finals, and four World Champion versus World Champion match-ups in the promotion’s two-part 100th event – ONE: CENTURY – set on 13 October at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan.