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MMA: Rolando Dy hopes changes in training will lead to success at BRAVE CF 56

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Filipino fighter Rolando " incredible="" src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/12/15/dy.jpg" the=""/><figcaption>Filipino fighter Rolando &quot;The Incredible&quot; Dy. Handout photo</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- Determined to take another step forward in his MMA career, Filipino fighter Rolando &quot;The Incredible&quot; Dy has made significant changes in his training program.These changes come as the 30-year-old Dy prepares to take on local favorite Slobodan Maksimovic in the main event of BRAVE CF 56, set for Saturday at the Belexpocentar in Belgrade, Serbia.Dy has always possessed a warrior spirit, but nine months ago, he received the wake-up call he needed to take his career to the next level, and fulfill his vast potential.In BRAVE CF&#x27;s &quot;Asian Domination&quot; card last March, Dy headlined the event against rising Kyrgyz contender Abdisalam &quot;Omok&quot; Kubanychbek. However, the match did not go his way.Kubanychbek imposed his strategy perfectly as &quot;Omok&quot; used all of his might to get Dy down on the canvas and clobbered with afflicting ground-and-pound that forced the corner of the Pinoy combatant to throw in the towel before the start of the third and final round.Dy said the loss was a valuable learning experience.&quot;I think I could have done better, but looking back, I think it&#x27;s what I needed. It was a tough loss, but at the same time, it&#x27;s an eye-opener. I picked up a good number of lessons from that experience alone,&quot; he said of the defeat.The loss made Dy realize that he needed to make drastic changes to his training program, and his first order of business was to hire a strength and conditioning coach, Marlon Emanel.While some prizefighters might prefer a routine in camp, having other personnel in the gym aside from striking coach Norman Arenas seems to have reignited the fire inside Dy. He&#x27;s now looking forward to putting his training into practice against an extremely-tough opponent in Maksimovic.&quot;It does feel really good to get out of your comfort zone. At first, it was difficult. But that&#x27;s part of the adaptation phase of the program. I do feel much stronger and much faster heading into this fight. You will see it in my next fight,&quot; Dy guaranteed.&quot;Truth be told, I&#x27;m not getting any younger. In this physically-taxing sport, a fighter needs to preserve his or her body. By hiring a strength and conditioning trainer, I know my coach will help me extend my shelf life as a fighter,&quot; he also said.Dy&#x27;s opponent this weekend is determined to make a big first impression on the sport&#x27;s global stage after spending over 11 years in the regional circuit, amassing a professional record of 17-6-1.Maksimovic rides on a two-bout winning streak while winning seven out of his last eight assignments since 2016.Dy knows that the pressure is on him, as BRAVE CF&#x27;s year-end card is set in Maksimovic&#x27;s hometown, where the local crowd will undoubtedly cheer for their hero. With a focus on nullifying the crowd and keeping the result out of the judges&#x27; hands, Dy plans to put forth the performance of a lifetime.&quot;Come fight night, I have to perform to the best of my ability. He will have the so-called hometown advantage. I feel the pressure, of course. But it only motivates me to get the win in decisive fashion,&quot; said Dy.For Dy, he views his three-round cage encounter opposite Maksimovic as a springboard to bigger and better opportunities.&quot;Beating Slobodan Maksimovic will definitely put me in a better place in the division. It&#x27;s no secret that I want to fight for the title. Getting that win on December 18 will kick-start my run to the top,&quot; he shared.

Determined to take another step forward in his MMA career, Filipino fighter Rolando Dy has made significant changes in his training program.