Filipino MMA fighter Jeremy Pacatiw. Handout/ONE Championship

MANILA -- Filipino bantamweight MMA contender Jeremy Pacatiw has nothing but good words for his upcoming opponent, Mongolia's Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu. 

Now ranked fifth in the division, Pacatiw will make a quick turnaround after his previous fight was postponed.

Standing in his way is the fourth-ranked Baatarkhuu, as the contenders clash at ONE Fight Night 29: Rodrigues vs. McManamon on March 8 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.  

Pacatiw is admittedly impressed with Baatarkhuu's toughness and mental fortitude. The Mongolian has come close to defeat against several Filipino opponents before, only to bounce back and snatch the victory -- often by stoppage.

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"He's a grinder, he's tough, he's got excellent endurance, and he just keeps pushing forward, and those are the things that I'm looking out for entering this fight," he said.  

"At 36 years old, he's like a machine. He'll try to outwork you as much as he can."

For Pacatiw, that starts with breaking Baatarkhuu's mental fortitude and making sure he doesn't end up gaining confidence once he gets his rhythm going.

"He has a strong mind and it's up to me to break that mentality," Pacatiw said. "I'm out to break his streak against Filipinos. He's been tormenting Filipinos for a long time, so I have to make sure I won't fall victim to it." 

To do that, Pacatiw must keep his focus and not get frustrated when Baatarkhuu starts to make his patented comeback. The Filipino is well aware that a clean hit or two will not finish off his foe, and that he has to stay locked in.

"My composure will be tested for sure," he admitted.

"I have to stay calm and focused. Once I connect, I have to stay in the game and not get frustrated if he comes back, recovers, and pressures me on the counter," Pacatiw added

"So it's all about staying strong, staying focused, and staying confident that I can break him no matter how hard he tries to get back in the fight."