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https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3174489/one-championship-malaysias-jihin-radzuan Mixed Martial Arts
ONE Championship: Malaysia’s Jihin Radzuan expects to challenge champ Angela Lee in ‘another two or three matches’
- Radzuan moved on to a three-fight streak with an upset decision over Itsuki Hirata at ONE X last month
- Now ranked No 5 at atomweight, Malaysian is ‘not looking for easy fights’ and expects ‘somebody in the rankings’ next
Malaysian atomweight Jihin Radzuan prepares for a fight. Photo: ONE Championship.
If you had asked Jihin Radzuan about fighting ONE atomweight champion Angela Lee a few years ago, she would have told you she was not ready.
But after her latest victory, the 23-year-old Malaysian believes a fight with the champ is inevitable.
“Someday in the future I will be there,” she told the Post. “I’m feeling ready now – not now, but another two or three matches and I’m probably going to match up with her.”
Radzuan (8-2) returned to the ONE Championship Circle on the stacked ONE X card last month in Singapore, where she defeated formerly unbeaten Japanese judoka Itsuki Hirata (5-1) by decision.
“It’s a very good thing for me,” she said of the win. “Of course I’m very happy with my performance.”
The win in Singapore was Radzuan’s third in a row after a pair of decision triumphs over Mei Yamaguchi and Bi Nguyen, and enough to earn her the No 5 spot in ONE’s atomweight rankings.
Malaysian atomweight Jihin Radzuan celebrates an upset victory over Japan’s Itsuki Hirata at ONE X on March 26 in Singapore. Photo: ONE Championship.
Radzuan could leap into any number of high-profile matchups from that enviable vantage point.
She expressed interest in fights with No 3 contender Denice Zamboanga (8-2) of the Philippines, No 4 contender Alyona Rassohyna (13-5) of Ukraine, and Indian wrestling star Ritu Phogat (7-2), who was ejected from the atomweight rankings after the last update, but does not seem choosy about her next opponent.
“If we keep it real, I think for my next fight they’re going to put me with somebody in the rankings,” she said. “Maybe a rematch with Denice or with somebody in the top three or four or six. We’ll see.”
“I’m not looking for easy fights,” she added. “I know that the next opponent will be tough.”
While Radzuan admits that she has some more winning to do before she earns a crack at the champion Lee – who has ruled over the atomweight division since 2016 and defended the belt five times – her visions of a title win are becoming more vivid.
If she can make it happen, she’ll be the first Malaysian fighter to win a major title in MMA.
“I do really think about this,” she said. “Imagining me winning [the title] and putting my country on the map and being the first Malaysian champion, it’s going to be a very proud moment.
“It’s not only about me. It’s about my coach, my teammates, everyone around me that’s been supporting me.
“Everyone – even my cats. It will be a very proud moment.”