Doliguez already eager to showcase lessons from China relocation in return fight

One Championship (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--After a colorful MMA career, Roy Doliguez turned to MMA, and he went to a hot start, winning six of his first seven fights.

But since he moved to One Championship, the former two-time Philippine super flyweight boxing champ and WBO super flyweight title contender dropped his two fights there.

Doliguez hopes a one-year layoff will bear fruit for his MMA career.

Doliguez utilized his time off the cage by becoming a trainer in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, and there he also learned new aspects that could help him get back on track in One's strawweight class.

“There are some facets of my MMA game that needs fine-tuning. With my year-long layoff, I was able to do that. The sport of MMA is always evolving. As a fighter, you always have to adapt to the changes. My move to China had benefited my growth in mixed martial arts. I was able to learn new things that I can incorporate with what I learned back home. It was a good decision on my part because I look at myself as a more complete fighter right now,” he said.

Doliguez is now ready to showcase his improved cage game in his return bout at One: Throne of Tigers on Feb. 10 in Kuala Lumpur against Alex Silva.

[Related Story: Doliguez battles Brazilian opponent as quest to get back to world title picture begins]

“I might have been away from action for over a year, but the desire to compete has been always there. I want to put on a great fight for the fans in Malaysia and of course, bring pride and honor to the Philippines. I’m so excited to be back inside the One Championship cage. I truly cherish this moment and opportunity. I can’t wait to show the new Roy Doliguez. I will give my best to get the victory in February,” he vowed.

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