Undefeated Pinoy, Docyogen takes on Japanese MMA fighter in One FC in KL

Undefeated Pinoy, Docyogen takes on Japanese MMA fighter in One FC in KL

by rick olivares

On Saturday, February 2, 2013, the undefeated Filipino mixed martial artist Rey Docyogen takes on Japanese fighter Shinichi Kojima in the One Fighting Championship: Return of Warriors at the Putra Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The match has implications because the winner will get a shot at the One FC Flyweight title.

Docyogen (10-0) is one of the most exciting mixed martial artists to have ever emerged from the Philippines and who has smashed his way through the flyweight and pinweight divisions in the country. He is the reigning URCC pinweight champion.

What Docyogen lacks in stature he more than makes up for in strength and determination and he is renowned for his devastating ground and pound. He has four wins by stoppage due to strikes and four wins by submission which is testament to how well rounded he is.

Kojima has much more experience in the octagon than the Filipino although he is sporting a mediocre 12-5-5 record. The Japanese fighter out of Yokohama once started out like a house on fire as he tore through the Shooto organization. He began his career with a sterling 7-1-4 record before stumbling since 2007 going 5-5-1 leading up to his match with Docyogen. Kojima is coming of a loss to Korean Nam Jin Jo via decision.

Incredibly, both fighters are coming off a long lay-off. Docyogen last fought in February 2012 while Kojima’s last octagon foray was in March of the same year.

Said Docyogen who fights out of Team Lakay in Baguio City, home to such MMA stalwarts like Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, and Honorio Banario, "I've been training very hard for this fight. It's the first time I would be fighting for ONE FC and I am very honored to be given this opportunity. A victory in this fight against Shinichi Kojima would grant me a flyweight title shot down the road and I am very much looking forward to that. My ultimate goal is win the ONE FC flyweight championship to go with my URCC pinweight title.”

Docyogen’s training is intensive as he does hill runs alongside Banario to improve their cardio to go with lots of hard sparring sessions. Banario will be up against another Filipino, undefeated Eric Kelly, for the One FC Flyweight championship belt.

Added Docyogen: “I've been preparing for this fight just like how I prepare for my other fights. I've been working really hard on my striking, on my takedowns and on my submissions. I've watched a few of Kojima's fight to anticipate what he might bring, but I do not believe he will bring anything to the fight that I have not seen before. I feel well prepared for whatever Kojima throws at me. I will defeat Kojima and become flyweight champion."