Ryan "The Lion" Rohovich is ready to go to war Thursday night. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

MMA

‘The Lion’ prepares to face #1 contender at Battlefield Fight League 78

Oct 19, 2023 | 8:00 AM

Update: Ryan Rohovich’s scheduled fight at Battlefield Fight League 78 has been called off.

Rohovich was taken to hospital Wednesday in Vancouver with what appears to be kidney related issues. During weigh ins he was apparently suffering severe cramps. He’s since been released from hospital and is resting. paNOW wishes him a speedy recovery.

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Prince Albert’s Ryan Rohovich is calling it his biggest fight to date.

He’s scheduled to face Jamie Siraj on Thursday night at Battlefield Fight League 78 (BFL). Siraj (9-2) is the BFL’s current number-one contender for the featherweight title and is also expected to get called up to the UFC.

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“It motivates me because I know that I’m good enough to beat him,” Rohovich told paNOW.

That being said, Rohovich also acknowledged his opponent has all the advantages in the world like UFC coaches and an awesome facility with awesome training partners, whereas he himself comes from a little town with a much smaller gym

“So being able to beat him will be really satisfying,” Rohovich said.

Rohovich, whose current pro record is 5-5, is coming off a loss last December to Gagan Gill at BFL 75. Prior to that, Rohovich tapped out Josh “the Juggernaut” Kwiatkowski at BFL 72. Since his last fight, Rohovich explained he’s been lifting heavier weights and doing more boxing training.

“Early mornings with my dad we are doing some different drills that I typically didn’t do during my last fight camp, like working on my hand speed and my movement,” he said.

And while also acknowledging the disappointment that comes with losing a fight, Rohovich noted he was winning the fight until Gill connected with a “lucky” punch in the final seconds of the first round.

“I’m just going in there to correct my mistakes from last time and just be better,” Rohovich stated.

Thursday’s event takes place at the Harbor Convention Centre in Vancouver and can also be viewed through UFC Fight Pass.

Main Card:

Dejan Kajic (15-7-2) vs. Josenaldo Silva (29-7) WW
Dario Sinagoga (6-1) vs. Ashton Charlton (7-1) WW
Ali Wasuk (6-3) vs. Josh Kwiatkowski (8-6) BW
Jamie Siraj (9-2) vs. Ryan Rohovich (5-5) 150lbs
Mike McAloon (5-3) vs. Radley Da Silva (2-1) LW
Navid Zanganeh (2-1) vs. David Briones (4-3) LW
Mitch Strazzella (3-1) vs. Amin Almelik (4-2) 135lbs
Gio Platon (2-2) vs. Jose Penaloza (3-2) 140lbs

Prelims:

Keez Huisman (4-1 MMMA) vs. Valentine Bulat (5-0 KB) BW Title
Adam Posener (4-0) vs. Javier Gill (7-3) WW Title
Bernie Liu (4-1) vs. Max Temmel (2-2) lightweight
Derek Bergen (2-2) vs. Abdalla El-Hefnawi (1-2) lightweight
Mauricio Barbosa (1-1) vs. Izaiah Deon (0-0) 185 lbs
Roman Tason (1-0) vs. Cole Smith (1-1) LW
Michael Tse (0-1) vs. Valentin Sit (0-0) LW

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell