Ramon “The Bicolano” Gonzales knew his shortcomings in the past and it is something that he promises not to repeat in the future.
Gonzales’ scheduled bout with “Wolf of the Grasslands” Hexigetu at ONE: Dreams of Gold did not materialize after the former failed to reach adequate levels of hydration in his second test.
ONE Championship has abolished heavy weight-cutting, but the organization stays on top of athletes to make sure they come in with the proper hydration for their weight entering the match.
By regulations, hydration values less than or equal to 1.0250 earn a passing mark while values greater than or equal to 1.0251 earn a failing mark. Gonzales was a tad over the limit as he earned a 1.0252 mark.
“We learn new things every day. I still consider myself a newbie of the sport and this is a huge lesson for me. It’s something I can apply in my next bouts,” Gonzales said.
“I’ve learned the importance of staying healthy and at the same time, this experience tested me emotionally simply because I’ve prepared for this 100 percent that it wouldn’t happen. Now I know how to handle it.:
While a lot of people were left disappointed with the outcome, the most disappointed was Gonzales himself.
The 32-year-old Filipino karateka is in the middle of a three-match winning streak and is considered as one of the hottest strawweights in The Home Of Martial Arts.
But Gonzales does not have a choice now other than to be better prepared next time.
“It’s no joke. It’s very hard for us fighters. I have my shortcomings. I reached weight, but I failed on the hydration part,” Gonzales explained.
“I cried upon hearing the news. I’m sad because there are a lot of people who helped me out for this, a lot of people who believed in me. I was ready to fight that night, but I respect the decision.”
Gonzales knows that the only way he can make up for the lost time is to be prepared the next time out.
He vows to be ready anytime and hopes to face the same athlete he was originally slated to meet and pick up where he left off.
“I failed, yes, but I will make sure that on my next fight, I’ll give my best. I’m willing to fight anytime, even in Vietnam this September,” Gonzales said.
“I also wish that ONE Championship gives me the same opponent.”
Catch ONE Championship’s event, ONE: Immortal Triumph, on September 6 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It will be the organization’s first-ever all-Super Series event.
Watch the action live on the ONE Super App.
More from ONE Championship:
Ramon Gonzales Aims To Continue Life-Changing Winning Streak In Bangkok
Ramon Gonzales Thrills Manila With 79-Second Submission
Ramon Gonzales Opens The Show With Crushing First-Round Choke
