Filipino fighter Ruel “Bagsik” Panales, the first Filipino to compete in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) SmartCage, faced a tough defeat against UAE’s Hadi Omar Al Hussaini at the Road to Dubai Champions Series held on January 25, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Panales lost via decision after three intense rounds but revealed that the fight came with significant challenges even before stepping into the cage.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Panales shared that just days before the fight, he suffered a motorcycle accident in the Philippines that left his finger severely injured. Despite the odds, Panales made the decision to proceed with the fight. “Nung nakaraang linggo kasi nadisgrasya ako sa motor at nahati ang daliri ko bago ako lumipad pa Dubai,” he wrote. “Pinili ko ipatahi sya sa doctor, lumipad pa Dubai at ituloy ang laban dahil ayaw ko masayang ang paghihirap ko, ng team, at pera ng promoter.”
However, during the fight, the stitches on his injured finger came undone in the first round, making it impossible for him to fully use his hand. “Sa araw ng laban natanggal ang tahi sa unang round pa lang at di ko na magamit ang kamay ko,” Panales explained, emphasizing that he chose to continue the fight despite the pain and difficulty. “Hindi ako nagdadahilan, pinili ko na lumaban sa kabila ng lahat.”
The 28-year-old flyweight showed resilience by finishing all three rounds, leaning on his faith and determination to push through. “I thank the Lord for giving me strength to fight back and finish 3 rounds,” he said. Despite the setback, Panales remains optimistic and is already looking ahead to his recovery and next fight. “Ako ay magpapahinga ng isa o dalawang linggo tapos babalik ako sa training para sa sunod ko na laban. Maaring makita nyo ako na lumaban ulit sa Abril.”
Currently recovering in the hospital, Panales revealed that doctors will need to amputate the tip of his injured finger. “Puputulin daw ang dulo ng daliri ng 2 PM dito,” he shared. His flight back to the Philippines has also been rescheduled to accommodate his medical needs.
Panales extended his gratitude to his coach and team for their unwavering support, particularly his coach, who stayed by his side throughout his hospital stay. “Special thanks to my coach who stayed up all night beside me,” he said.
