Rene “The Challenger” Catalan is confident that Catalan Fighting System is ready to accommodate those who want to return to the gym if given the green light by the government to operate.
Located in Makati City, the stable has been closed since the lockdown was announced on March 15 and has been accessible only to Catalan and his brothers, who live in the gym.
Since pro basketball and football leagues have already been given the green light to train, Catalan is hopeful that combat sports will be next.
When that happens, “The Challenger” is confident they can handle the influx of people who will come in.
“I hope that they give us a chance to reopen soon,” Catalan said.
“If that happens and given the chance to reopen, me and my team are prepared for those who want to get back in shape and train MMA once more.”
The timing of COVID-19 could not have been any worse for the gym; they had good momentum before the lockdown happened.
His brother, Robin “The Ilonggo” Catalan was ready to move up the division following a knockout win in 2019 over Gustavo “El Gladiador” Balart, while “The Challenger” has been ranked number three in the official ONE Championship athlete rankings.
The key for Catalan is discipline inside their gym, and he promises to enforce it once they start entertaining students again.
“The most important thing in handling this is discipline. We can’t see what we’re facing so we have to be really disciplined with whatever protocol the government gives us,” Catalan said.
“But I can truly say we’re ready, if they allow us to open, we’re ready.”
ONE Championship returns to live action for the first time in nearly five months with ONE: NO SURRENDER, a closed-door, audience-free card set for Friday, 31 July, in Bangkok, Thailand. Catch the event live and for free by downloading the ONE Super App.
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