ONE Championship: Itsuki Hirata targeting the ‘monsters’ of atomweight division – and Angela Lee’s world title
- Hirata rebounded from a loss to Jihin Radzuan with a decision win over Lin Heqin last Saturday in Singapore
- Japanese star eyeing rematch with Radzuan, and fights with ‘Unstoppable’ Lee, Ritu Phogat and Stamp Fairtex
Itsuki Hirata is ready to go big game hunting in the atomweight division after a win over Lin Heqin at ONE Championship’s Prime Video 1 card last Saturday in Singapore.
The 23-year-old Japanese star met China’s Heqin, 28, on the event’s undercard, and after threatening with an armlock in round two and scoring a knockdown in round three, was awarded a unanimous decision win.
The win separated her from a March split decision loss to Jihin Radzuan, and now that she is back in the win column, she is looking for big opportunities in the atomweight division – namely a rematch with her recent foil.
“I will win my MMA fight if I get a rematch with Jihin Radzuan,” Hirata (6-1) said via an interpreter after her win over Lin. “I’m sure my level will be better than Jihin, so I am confident.”
Unfortunately for Hirata, Radzuan (8-2) is currently occupied with another challenge. The Malaysian talent is slated to fight former atomweight Grand Prix winner Stamp Fairtex (8-2) at ONE on Prime Video 2 – a test Hirata does not expect her to pass.
“For sure, Stamp will win [against Jihin], because Stamp has massive striking,” she said.
Radzuan is not the only fighter on Hirata’s radar. The Japanese judo specialist is also interested in a fight with Ritu Phogat (7-2).