Robin Van Roosmalen lost the lightweight title to Thailand’s Sittichai Sitsongpeenong at Glory 31 Amsterdam earlier this year by way of a decision, which sparked much controversy. In search of new challenges, he turned his attention to the featherweight division and the title, which Gabriel Varga had recaptured from Serhiy Adamchuk at Glory 32.
Numerous questions hung over him going into the fight, not the least of which was whether his gas tank – superb at lightweight – would survive both a drop in weight class and a fight at altitude in Denver.
As it turned out, there were no issues at all. If anything Van Roosmalen actually increased his pace as the rounds played out, overwhelming Varga to such an extent that his corner pulled him out of the fight in the interval before the fifth and final round, sparing him from further unnecessary damage in a fight which was already clearly lost.
“I think my pressure, power and explosiveness was the key to victory. Everyone was talking that I wouldn’t make weight, wouldn’t have power at that weight. But you saw I was fast, explosive, my cardio was perfect. I hope I put a lot of people on notice,” he said post-fight.
“My goal was to be the first to win belts in two divisions and now I have done that I want to get my lightweight title back. I want to be the reigning two-division champ. I think I am the strongest fighter in both divisions, so why not win and defend both?”
The fight headlined the ‘Superfight Series’ section of the Glory 34 card and aired live on UFC Fight Pass. In recent years Van Roosmalen has periodically traveled to Florida from his Netherlands home to train with he Blackzilians team, as he also has an interest in MMA. He wonders whether being on Fight Pass now might open the door to him getting some UFC fights.
“[It’s] a big channel and I am happy to fight on it. I hope people enjoyed [my fight] so I can perform more on it. I love MMA, it’s also a passion of mine, so UFC, if you want some extra fights, some nice fights, let me know!” he said.
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