Rolando Dy and ‘Win or Die’ Realities

Rolando Dy takes risks. A fighter who thrives on challenges and never complains, the hard-hitting Filipino has enjoyed a full training camp only once in his three Ultimate Fighting Championship appearances.

Dy was cut by the promotion following a decision loss to Teruto Ishihara in September and considered retirement at the age of 26. Just before he decided to hang up his gloves, he received a surprise call from the UFC. Two weeks later, the son of Filipino boxing legend Rolando Navarrete found himself competing in the promotion’s historic first event in mainland China. Dy on Nov. 25 went on to record his first Octagon victory against Wuliji Buren in what he calls a “suicide mission.”

“I was really out of shape,” said Dy, who accepted the bout on two weeks’ notice. “I fought [Alex] Caceres on two weeks’ notice also. I like challenges.”

Dy will seek a second straight win on Saturday, when he takes on Shane Young at UFC Fight Night 132 in Kallang, Singapore. He understands the stakes.

“Basically, I am fighting for my contract, so it means a lot,” Dy said. “If I lose, I might get cut, so it’s like win or die for me.”

Young followed a similar path to the Octagon. The 24-year-old Kiwi carried a five-fight winning streak into his short-notice organizational debut, only to lose to Alexander Volkanovski in one-sided fashion. However, Young’s grit and toughness earned him another opportunity.

“He’s a tough guy,” Dy said, “[but] I am smarter than him, I fought better opponents than him and I am better than him.”