Ramon “The Bicolano” Gonzales is heading into ONE: Inside the Matrix with one thing on his mind — bouncing back.
Following a three-fight win streak against Hexigetu last November, his journey to the top derailed after suffering a decision loss that snapped his run.
“The Bicolano” has been training hard over the past few months, especially during community quarantine. He feels more than eager to erase the painful memory of his most recent defeat with a win.
But come Friday, during ONE: Inside the Matrix II in Singapore, the 33-year-old faces Eko Roni Saputra — a renowned grappler in Indonesia.
“Indeed, this pandemic has affected the lives of people around the world. But as I always instill in my mind, we should look for the positive sides of the situation,” said Gonzales.
“During the lockdown, I was able to train everyday, together with my students which are the Uchi-deshi. We used the time we couldn’t go out to stay in the gym, focus on our skills, and train.”
Against Saputra, Gonzales faces a legitimate threat that is constantly evolving with every performance.
The 29-year-old Indonesian flyweight transitioned from wrestling to mixed martial arts in 2019. Initially, he had difficulty adjusting to the different dynamics of the Circle. But with a few bouts of experience under his belt, Saputra is slowly coming into his own.
Gonzales feels their matchup will be an exciting one.
“I haven’t met Mr. Saputra personally, but I already watched his fights, and I think he is a great fighter,” said Gonzales.
“I make sure that when it’s time to enter the Circle, I am ready. I promise my fans that will show them the best of me this time.”
Gonzales feels inspired to take his career to the next level, and continues to fight for the people closest to him, to give them a better life.
“I always try to find ways to be motivated. My family remains a constant inspiration for me to do more, to train more,” said Gonzales.
“And I believe that we need to be inspired and be motivated to move forward, so we can stay ready for the challenges ahead of us.”
