Rolando Dy knows the only way to accomplish his goal of getting back in the UFC is by beating all the people put in front of him.
Dy made a name for himself as a professional fighter in the Philippines. The son of Rolando Navarrete, a former WBC super featherweight champion, Dy’s success of his own put him on the UFC radar.
After compiling an 8-4 (1NC) record fighting for Pacific Xtreme Combat as well as stoppages with Brave CF and Legend Fighting Championship, Dy landed himself a spot on a UFC card. Less than two years’ time and two UFC releases later, Dy now looks to work his way up the ladder once again.
He laid out his future plans when he spoke with John Hyon Ko of The Body Lock.
What went wrong
Rolando Dy’s time as a UFC athlete did not play out the way he expected. In four fights, he compiled a record of 1-3, and in that lone victory over Wuliji Buren, he missed the featherweight limit by two pounds.
His stint with the promotion had two recurring themes: injuries and short-notice fights.
“They gave me two weeks notice against a veteran Alex Caceres,” Dy said, recounting his UFC debut. “I was shocked, you know. When I entered the cage, I felt like I just came from amateur.”
The fight would end via doctor stoppage before the third round could commence.
After being released for the first time in October 2017, Dy was given the opportunity to compete at UFC Fight Night 132 in Singapore. He squared off with Shane Young in a preliminary bout that would go on to earn the Fight of the Night bonus for each man.
Dy said he went into that fight with a partial ACL tear. The loss to Young via TKO in the second round spelled the end of Dy’s tenure.
Returning to the octagon
Dy, disappointed by his performance on the biggest stage of his career, still hopes to right the ship and make a return to the UFC.
“I don’t feel that I gave everything in my first run in UFC,” Dy said. “So I’m planning to rewrite my UFC run.”
To do so, Dy has a simple blueprint in place. He’s not interested in calling out names or taking easy fights. Dy is solely focused on defeating whoever is next in line.
“My plan is to be back in UFC, kill everyone,” Dy said. “I will not choose any fight. I will find the best in Pakistan, the best in Jordan, the best of Bahrain, the best of any country.”
The politics of the fight business is of no interest to him.
“I never choose my opponent,” Dy said. “I hate fighting for the record only.”
“I have my own views and ideas in fighting. And one of the best reason why I’m fighting because I’m a warrior. I’m a fighter. I’m not a businessman.”
Opponents ahead
Rolando Dy won his first fight outside of the UFC, defeating his opponent via first-round TKO at Abu Dhabi Warriors 5. Now, he looks to put together a winning streak, something he hasn’t done since 2016.
Dy will make his return to the Philippines when he faces Mehmosh Raza of Pakistan at Brave CF 22. The event also marks Brave CF’s debut in Dy’s native country. He is looking forward to performing in front of a home crowd once again.
“I’m really excited,” Dy said. “You know, just last time I fought in Manila, [Philippines] I fought [Koyomi] Matsushima now he’s killing people in ONE FC and then all of a sudden Pancrase.”
In that fight, Dy emerged victorious, scoring a first-round knockout. Looking ahead, he believes he will do the same to Raza.
“I’m planning to finish in the first or second,” Dy said. “If I’m healthy as like what I feel, what I’m feeling right now, I don’t think he will last until third round.”
Watch Rolando Dy’s full interview with John Hyon Ko below, and subscribe to Kumite TV for more interviews: