Roy Doliguez is intent on keeping his winning momentum

Filipino veteran Roy “The Dominator” Doliguez has rediscovered his winning ways, and is targeting another finish at ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD on 10 November.

Doliguez had a nightmare start to his ONE Championship career, losing three bouts in a row as he struggled to find his feet inside the ONE cage.

However,, after decision defeats against Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke and Riku Shibuya and a submission loss to Alex Silva, Doliguez finally picked up his first win in the ONE Championship cage. 

In his most recent outing, he scored a thrilling stoppage win over Brazilian Muay Thai specialist Yago “Codorninha” Bryan at ONE: TOTAL VICTORY in September.

After attacking Bryan with leg kicks in the opening round, his opponent landed with some solid strikes, then took the fight to the ground.

“I was really surprised,” the Filipino recalled. “In the first round, I think he found it difficult to set me up for striking, because I was constantly moving.

“I got caught off guard when he went for a takedown, because I thought he was not going to try and bring the match to the ground.”

The same fate befell Doliguez in the second round, but heading into the third and final round, the Filipino saw an opportunity begin to present itself as his opponent started to slow.

“I felt that he was tired already,” he says. “There was a time that he had attempted a takedown for just a short while, and I got the feeling that he was spent.”

With the bout approaching the final stages, Doliguez struck, landing a crisp straight left that sent his opponent crashing to the canvas as the referee stepped in to stop the contest.

“Right then and there, I knew I did not have to do it again, because I felt it in my hands,” he remembered. 

That win wasn’t just important for breaking his losing streak, it also gave him a much-needed shot of confidence after his run of bad form led him to consider his future as a martial artist.

“I was just really happy, because if I lost again, I might have had second thoughts about this career,” he admits.

“I knew that I needed to have the heart of a martial artist. I cannot feel fear or doubt in my abilities. When one feels that, he should retire.”

Now Doliguez has been matched with fellow strawweight contender Joshua Pacio, and the 35-year-old former pro boxer says his young opponent knows how dangerous his striking will be.

“I think he might be wary of me,” he said. “He knows that my hands are my weapons.”

Despite his confidence in his own striking, he says he’s paying his 21-year-old opponent a lot of respect, particularly given the fact he hails from the renowned Team Lakay camp.

“Pacio is good, durable, and has excellent cardio,” he says. “I think his striking game would be strong because of his wushu background. However, I need to be aware of his takedowns, too. I know that Team Lakay are complete martial artists, so I need to prepare.”

While he’s desperate for another victory, Doliguez admitted his national pride and sporting sensibilities mean he’ll be pleased for his fellow countryman if Pacio were to get his hand raised, even if it was at his own expense.

“We will keep our respect for one another, win or lose,” he said. “Because we know that whoever wins will mean another Filipino is another step closer to title contention.”