ONE Championship: Ham Seo-hee blames Itsuki Hirata for dull fight – ‘one person’s effort is not enough’

Ham ‘very, very excited’ after earning atomweight MMA title shot with win over Hirata at ONE Fight Night 8 in Singapore

Fight disappointed fans, as South Korean veteran asks ONE to ‘give me someone who is willing to dance with me’

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Ham Seo-hee’s hand is raised by referee Herb Dean after her victory over Itsuki Hirata at ONE Fight Night 8. Photos: ONE Championship

Published: 9:03am, 31 Mar 2023

Ham Seo-hee was understandably excited to learn that her latest ONE Championship victory will earn her a title shot.

The South Korean MMA veteran, 37, was back in action at Saturday’s ONE Fight Night 8 event in Singapore, defeating 23-year-old Japanese contender Itsuki Hirata by unanimous decision in an atomweight clash.

After the fight, ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong revealed to the Post that Ham’s next fight will be for gold – most likely for the interim atomweight title, as undisputed champion Angela Lee is out of action indefinitely following the death of her 18-year-old sister Victoria late last year.

“I’m very excited for that,” Ham told the Post backstage at the Singapore Indoor Stadium after her win. “Hearing that makes me very, very excited.”

It is not clear whom Ham will fight for interim gold, but the most likely candidate is Thai star Stamp Fairtex – though she will need to get by Alyse Anderson at ONE Fight Night 10 on May 5 in Denver, Colorado, first.

Ham believes Stamp will win that fight, and views the Thai as an exciting opponent.

“My prediction is Stamp [wins],” she said. “In the case that Stamp Fairtex wins, I can already imagine the type of energy that’s going to be in that fight. I can’t wait.”

Atomweights Alyse Anderson (left) and Stamp Fairtex will fight at ONE Fight Night 10 on May 5 in Denver, Colorado, USA.