ONE Championship: Ritu Phogat shocks Meng Bo after surviving torrid first round in atomweight grand prix
- ‘The Indian Tigress’ recovers to secure biggest win of her fledgling MMA career at ONE: Empower
- Phogat uses wrestling to earn unanimous decision, after Chinese veteran looks close to finish
Ritu Phogat stunned Meng Bo in a dramatic turnaround to secure a unanimous decision and move on to the quarter-finals of ONE Championship’s atomweight grand prix on Friday night in Singapore.
“The Indian Tigress” was nearly finished in a torrid first-round, getting clipped several times and falling to the ground before Meng ill-advisedly jumped in for an arm bar.
Former Indian national wrestling champion Phogat (6-1) was able to survive and turn things around, securing the biggest win of her fledgling MMA career at ONE: Empower.
It was a classic clash of styles – striker versus grappler – and the tone was set early when Meng stuffed 27-year-old Phogat’s first takedown attempt, the 25-year-old Chinese fighter stinging her with some big shots.
Meng looked close to the finish, but inexplicably went for an arm bar with Phogat sprawled on the floor, allowing her to recover. Phogat even ended the round with a takedown.