Roy Doliguez has been dying to fight for a world championship. When the ONE Championship offered him to fight for the inaugural ONE World Strawweight title, he did not hesitate to grab the opportunity of a lifetime.
“Masaya ako ng makapasok sa ONE at title match pa, sobrang di ko inaakala.“ Doliguez said, “Noong binigay sakin ito, five weeks na lang ang natitirang oras para sa aking paghahanda kaya doble-doble at puspusan ang aking training na ginagawa.”
“Nasurpresa ako title fight pa. Kahit di ganun kahaba ang aking paghahanda, hindi ko talaga tatanggihan ang opportunity na ito.” the former pro boxer added. “Kahit pa nga siguro hindi title fight ang in-offer sa akin, tatanggapin ko kaagad iyon.”
Before bursting through the MMA scene, the ‘Pilipino Badboy’ had a shot for a world championship in a different sport. In 2003, Roy Doliguez became the number one contender for the WBO World Super Flyweight championship, and challenged champion Fernando Montiel in Sinaloa, Mexico. Doliguez lost the match via TKO at the 2:12 mark of the second round. Doliguez told us that unlike before, he is more mature now and that “championship experience” will help him come fight night.
He will face heavy-favorite Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, a former Lumpinee Muay Thai champion with over 300 Muay Thai fights this Friday night at ONE Championship: Warrior’s Quest. The Evolve MMA standout will be dropping to 115lbs after being undefeated at flyweight in four fights, finishing all of his opponents by either knockout or submission. “DSA” will also have a home crowd advantage of sorts as he presently lives and trains in Singapore. Doliguez told us that he would not let the homecourt disadvantage go into his head. “Wala effect sa akin yan,” he said with a smile.
Regardless of how the things may stack against him, Doliguez believes he can mix it up with Amnuaysirichoke on foot and still be able to dictate the fight when fight to the ground. “Pareho kaming striker – [may] advantage ako sa boxing ko at sa kanya naman muay thai, may kicks and short elbows siya. Ang lamang natin is may distance ako kasi mas matangkad ako sa kanya.” Moreover, he is looking to grind “DSA” out with his ground game, “defense and counter sa striking ang game plan. I’ll try to take him down for most of the fight and go for the submission. If I can’t submit [him], I’ll play the stand up game again and then I’ll take him down again.”
His coach, Erwin Tagle can attest to that. “Si Roy although boxer, yung training namin more wrestling than punching. So were infusing Roy that habit of changing to change level and take him down and controlling your opponent. Bawas ng suntok kasi no need to outstrike his opponent. Yung suntok is to set up the takedown, that’s it.”
“Siya na din nagsabi sakin na na gusto niya itakedown [si Amnuaysirichoke], wrestler siya ngayon. He’ll dominate his opponent sa ground and take him down and control.”
Doliguez is more than thankful for his camp, Submission Sports Philippines, who he not only treats as friends and sparring mates but as family as well. “Sobrang full support sila sa akin. Pamilya ko na sila at nandun sila sa hirap at sa ginhawa.”
To close out, the ‘Pilipino Badboy’ had this to say, “lumalaban ako para sa pamilya ko at sa camp ko. Pero ang pinakaimportante ay para sa mga kababayan ko ito. Ngayon sa ONE, ni-rerepresent ko na ang Pilipinas. Iba ang feeling at sana di ko kayo mabigo.”
In taking a huge leap to the big stage, Roy Doliguez took a risk. But in life, everyone must take that risk. Doliguez knows that he has the country behind him and that the risk will surely pay-off in someway.
