Q&A: Filipino MMA fighter Ana Julaton | Sports, News, The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines – After a smashing mixed martial arts debut in One FC 15 : RISE OF HEROES last May 2, 2014, Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton is once again set to enter the cage this Aug. 28, in One FC 19 :  Reign of Champions at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

This time around, Julaton is facing a new challenge as she will now fight away from home against a more aggressive fighter by the name of Ann Osman from Malaysia.

Philstar.com had a chance to talk to Ana Julaton, who is on her way to Dubai as of posting time.

Philstar.com: What approach will you take compared to your last fight?

Julaton: I'm just living the moment and focusing on my game and abilities to be ready for anyone in the cage.  My goal is to become the first-ever Filipina MMA ONE FC Champion so I will continue to focus on what I have to do and not so much a particular opponent. I will fight anyone, anywhere, anytime –  whoever wants to sign a contract to step in the ring or the cage with me!

Going back to training camp I focused on the aspects where I felt my MMA game was weak.  Ultimately, my goal to become a One FC champion will materialize as I continue to improve on my overall game.  It’s something I am very excited to showcase on Aug. 29 in Dubai.

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MMA is demanding yet very fun!  The ground game is exciting because it opens a new level of inspiration to train and learn. I expect all of my opponents to test my ground technique and I look forward to surprising them with what I'm working on.

Philstar.com: Are there any lessons you learned from your last fight that you are taking to this match?

Julaton: Manila was truly a welcoming experience and a couple of months after, I'm still digesting over the thought of winning my MMA debut in the Philippines. I have had dreams of fighting there and for everything to happen the way it did, I would take none of it back! Even when I was in the guillotine choke. The arena was electrifying and to hear the support from everyone there, at that very moment, there was no way I was going to let anyone down!  I remembered getting so pumped up that when I broke free of the choke hold, I wanted to just slam my opponent, which I eventually did three times in a row that round.  It was surreal!

Gaining fight experience is always an advantage in combat sports. Being able to add more arsenal to my boxing and martial arts experience in a professional setting sets the tone in my ability and game plan. Although I only have one MMA fight under my belt, spending over a decade in boxing and fighting at a world class level inspires me to try new things in MMA and make it my own. My approach in MMA will be different than what some may expect.

Most of all I'd like all my supporters throughout the World know when I step in the cage, I carry you with. Thank you for being there for me through the ups and downs. Together we rise!

Philstar.com: The last time you fought in One FC, you had home crowd advantage. This time around you will be fighting in a hostile environment. What do you think will be the challenges will you be facing this time around?

Julaton: I'm excited to travel to Dubai.  This event for One FC will be its biggest one thus far and will make an incredible effort to reach out to the Filipino community. Every country I've traveled to, I always run into a kababayan and I love knowing that there is a huge Filipino community there!  I want to represent all global Filipinos and with the stage One FC provides, I am happy to know I can connect with all my people throughout the world. 

In fact, I'm heading to Dubai as we speak. Loren Mack, Head of PR for ONE FC, has set up a tour in Dubai the next two days so I'll be speaking to the media about my fight and will get a chance to see our Filipino community out there in the UAE. One FC is a world-class organization and has the biggest outreach for MMA in all of Asia. I'm so excited to get a chance to see all my supporters in Dubai next week!!

Follow me on social media (Twitter@AnaJulaton, Instagram@AnaJulaton, Facebook.com/AnaJulatonOfficial) to get the latest and when I will be arriving in Dubai. I hope to see all of my Kababayan there for a couple days.

About the author: Ernest Hernandez is a regular contributor for NBA Philippines and Philstar.com. He also hosts a sports program named “Sports On-Air” that can be heard at DZEC 1062 khz every Sunday from 7-8pm. Follow him on Twiiter and Instagram at @ernestleo