Ramon “The Bicolano” Gonzales has proven his karate mastery in
competitions all over the world, but now the former two-time Philippine
National Kyokushin karate champion is determined to exert his dominance in the
MMA world.
He will get the chance to do so this coming Saturday Night, 11
March. The Filipino is scheduled to meet Yodsanan “Little Tyson” Sityodong in a
catchweight bout at ONE: WARRIOR KINGDOM, which takes place at Bangkok’s Impact
Arena in his opponent’s home country of Thailand.
“I really want this,” the 29-year-old kyokushin black belt says.
“I want to fight and win.”
Defeating Sityodong will not be an easy task, however. He is an
ex-Muay Thai competitor and a former WBA Super Featherweight World Champion who
reigned from 2002 through 2005.
After moving to Singapore to teach at Evolve MMA in 2009, Little
Tyson — nicknamed that for his awesome knockout power — has fought sporadically
in professional MMA. He holds a 2-1 record, and won his last bout against
Chrech Kosal at the company’s last Bangkok show, ONE: KINGDOM OF CHAMPIONS,
last May.
“When I knew that my opponent is a boxing champion and a Muay Thai
fighter, I just told myself that a fight is a fight and anything can happen. I
do not know anything else about him because I do not have time for him,”
Gonzales says, smiling.
Gonzales, who was originally born in the Matacon barangay of the
Philippines’ Bicol Region, was raised by his grandma in Manila, and dabbled in
martial arts during high school. He learned taekwondo in 2001, and then
transitioned into Kyokushin the following year.
He immediately felt a connection with the karate discipline,
proclaiming: “the martial art Kyokushin is my life!”
“The Bicolano” dedicated his life mastering the art, en route to
becoming the 2007 and 2009 National Kyokushin karate champion in the
Philippines.
Upon winning the title a second time, he decided to test his
skills in the cage, and made his professional MMA debut later that August in a
local Filipino promotion. He won the fight in 43 seconds, but took an
indefinite hiatus from the sport, as his sensei wanted him to focus on upcoming
international Kyokushin tournaments.
The allure of MMA would not keep him away for long. In 2015, he
signed with ONE Championship because he inevitably wanted to challenge himself.
That test cam in the form of Kun Khmer specialist Chan Rothana at ONE: AGE OF
CHAMPIONS almost two years ago. It was an exciting fight, but he tapped out to
a rear-naked choke seconds before the first round concluded.
“That fight was a fight to remember for me,” he says. “Like my
coach always tells me, I did not lose in that fight. I learned from it.”
One thing Gonzales certainly learned is that he does not want to
lose again. Now, with more knowledge and experience under his belt, he draws
Sityodong this coming Saturday Night at ONE: WARRIOR KINGDOM.
Though it has been two years since he last fought inside the cage,
Gonzales is shaking off whatever rust there is so he can get back on the
winning track.
“All I can say is,” he begins, “I will bring out my best once the
cage door closes.”
