Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Mixed Martial Arts

Roel Rosauro looking for spectacular finish vs Yang on ONE: Revolution


Filipino featherweight Roel “Akiyama” Rosauro understands that climbing the ONE ladder is long and hard. 

That is why he is working his way up the ladder in hopes of entering the title conversation.

When Rosauro meets highly regarded debutant James Yang in the Circle, on the lead card at ONE: Revolution – set for Friday, September 24 in Singapore – he hopes for a resounding victory will put him on the right path.

“I expect it to be a bloody fight, and may the best man win,” said the Cebu-based Muay Thai specialist.

Unlike his peers, the 32-year-old has had a rough climb through the ranks, facing some of the division’s most dangerous opponents. Among the most notable names he has challenged so far include Indonesian journeyman Sunoto; and hard-hitting Chinese bad boy, Li Kai Wen. He lost both fights in his first two outings in ONE.

It wasn’t until his third appearance in the Circle that Rosauro was able to turn his career around.

Spurred on by his gold medal victory at the 2018 Philippine International Jiujitsu Open, and a silver medal finish in a Muay Thai event of the Philippine National Games (PNG), a more confident Rosauro was finally able to strike a notch in the win column.

“Akiyama” bagged a unanimous decision over embattled veteran Yohan Mulia Legowo early last year. And that performance that introduced fans to what Rosauro was truly capable of.

ONE-A-New-Tomorrow-Roel-Rosauro Roel Rosauro looking for spectacular finish vs Yang on ONE: Revolution Mixed Martial Arts News ONE Championship  - philippine sports news

Rosauro pummeled Legowo with menacing strikes, featuring killer body shots and a steady stream of low kicks. He dominated the bout and earned his first victory under the ONE Championship banner.

#ReadMore  Pacio-Saruta III to take place on ONE: Revolution

He dedicated the victory to his late father, who never had the chance to watch him compete in the world’s largest martial arts organization. But just when momentum seemed on Rosauro’s side, the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. That then threw a monkey wrench into every plan.

Border restrictions, movement, and logistics all became extremely hampered by the threat of the coronavirus. Even training proved a challenge for the Yaw-Yan Ardigma Cebu standout, preventing him from capitalizing on his momentum.

“My training has been on and off because of the pandemic.

“Some days, the gym would be open, but most of the time, it’s closed. Sometimes, I’m forced to train at my home, which is also a difficult task on its own,” he stated, with Cebu City still being one of the hotbeds of the virus in the archipelago.

Despite those difficulties, Rosauro prepared all he could for this return match. He improved his striking, which paid dividends for him in his last fight against Legowo. He also placed additional focus on his grappling to keep up with Yang, who trains with the legendary Demetrious Johnson at AMC Pankration.

“I know he’s a good fighter, so I have to really be at my best. But I’m not worried at all because I know all I need is to give it my best,” Rosauro said.

Rosauro dreams of becoming one of the top contenders in his weight class, currently ruled by reigning ONE Featherweight World Champion Thanh Le.

Other top fighters in the division include former two-division ONE World Champion Martin Nguyen, lightweight king Christian Lee, and submission grappling icon Garry Tonon, among others.

#ReadMore  Lito Adiwang still not losing hope on future Rodtang bout

It’s certainly a steep climb indeed. But in the combat sports world, just one resounding victory makes a world of difference, especially if it’s an impressive one. If Rosauro can put together a winning performance against Yang that the fighting world will talk about, it could be the Filipino’s one-way ticket to the top.

Written By


You May Also Like

Mixed Martial Arts

Reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio proved that Team Lakay’s ‘trilogy curse’ was nothing but a myth. Facing old foe Yosuke Saruta on...

Mixed Martial Arts

Before he stepped into the ONE Circle last Friday during Revolution, ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio watched intently at the back as Lito...

Mixed Martial Arts

For the past 32 months, Joshua Pacio has figured in five bouts – with three against Yosuke Saruta, who has become his rival. And...

Mixed Martial Arts

ONE: Revolution saw two Team Lakay stalwarts who compete in the same division take impressive wins. In the last match of the lead card,...

Mixed Martial Arts

Lito Adiwang had a huge size advantage against Hexigetu during their ONE: Revolution bout, Friday evening at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. During the first...

Mixed Martial Arts

Joshua Pacio finally proved that Team Lakay can take trilogy fights. Pacio put an emphatic end to his rivalry with Yosuke Saruta, knocking out...

Mixed Martial Arts

Lito Adiwang’s cardio looked better than ever. Five months after his battle with COVID-19, Adiwang showed no ill effects. He put up a kicking...

Mixed Martial Arts

Roel Rosauro did not have an ideal return in the ONE Circle. In his first bout in 20 months, the Yaw-Yan Ardigma Cebu standout...

Advertisement