Fritz Biagtan is on a mission for redemption, and he’s doing it for more than just himself.
“Kid Tornado steps back inside the ring at ONE Friday Fights 86 on November 8, where he’s slated to duke it out with Iran’s Sayedali Asli in a flyweight MMA showdown.
The 29-year-old from Dasmariñas, Cavite enters the three-round duel at the fabled Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, focused on rebounding from a setback that stalled his momentum.
His last appearance was against Babar Ali in December 2023, where he seemed only one win away from earning a $100,000 contract and a seat on the ONE Championship main roster.
However, Ali dashed those dreams, overpowering Fritz with a relentless grappling to cruise to a clear-cut unanimous decision victory.
ONE: Carlo Bumina-ang KOs foe in 23 seconds; Fritz Biagtan falls short
The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, but what hit Fritz hardest was the heartbreak he saw in his father, Raysaldo Biagtan.
“Daddy was really sad after the fight. He might have been even sadder than I was that night, even though I was the one who fought,” Fritz recalled in an interview with Tiebreaker Times.
Raysaldo has been a cornerstone in his son’s professional career since the early 2010s, guiding him through a promising journey.
As his eldest child continued to climb the ranks, Raysaldo found himself working as a trainer in Malaysia, frequently having to watch from afar.
When Fritz was on the verge of a significant breakthrough, Raysaldo returned home to actively participate in his training camp.
Fritz Biagtan glad to reunite with father ahead of ONE Friday Fights 44 bout
However, the outcome was far from what they had hoped for. After the matchup against Ali, Raysaldo was visibly devastated, a moment Fritz still remembers clearly as he saw their family patriarch sitting alone in a corner of their hotel room.
“Daddy was in tears after the fight. It was painful for him to see me lose that match. But that’s how it is,” he shared.
This time, Raysaldo won’t be making the trip to support him in person, but Fritz is determined to give his father a reason to smile and celebrate.
“My dad is one of the people who serves as my main motivation and inspiration to win this fight,” he stated. “Daddy knows everything I’ve gone through as an athlete. It hasn’t been easy. And I know that all he wants is for me to be successful.”
Though that’s his goal, Fritz understands that his upcoming assignment will be no easy task.
Boasting a 6-1 professional record, Asli shares a similar approach with Ali, favoring a punishing ground game to wear down opponents.
In the multifaceted world of MMA, various styles clash, and Fritz is well aware that he must navigate this challenge.
“We already know about my striking game since I’m a striker. But after my last fight, I really focused on my grappling this time around. Losing last year was a big lesson for me, and it’s helped me grow as a fighter,” he said.
Undoubtedly, Fritz faces a test reminiscent of last year’s outing, but he’s resolute in his bid to overcome the haunting memories that brought sorrow to both him and his father.
“I view this fight as an opportunity to correct my mistakes. I’m glad to have an opponent with a similar style as it will help me build on what I learned from my last fight,” he concluded.
