Japanese standout Itsuki Hirata has some doubts about how effectively she may do on her ft forward of her return to the circle on Friday evening at ONE Struggle Night time 8 on Prime Video.
‘Android 18’ will face the hardest check of her fight sports activities profession when she squares off with No. 2 ranked atomweight contender Ham Search engine optimisation Hee. In anticipation of their showdown, Hirata has been growing her putting expertise, however in an interview with ONE Championship, Hirata admitted that she’s feeling lower than assured about how her stand-up recreation and sturdiness can maintain out:
“I feel regardless of having a number of coaching in putting, I don’t have a lot confidence in my chin or putting. I consider that having the braveness to maneuver ahead and never again down once I get hit is extra necessary. If I again down, I consider I’ll obtain twice the ability of the strike from Ham.”
The bottom recreation has all the time been Itsuki Hirata’s bread and butter, however the fast-rising atomweight acknowledged her have to develop her putting expertise after a split-decision loss to Jihin Radzuan at ONE X final March.
Touring to the USA to work with the Serra-Longo Struggle Workforce in New York, Hirata bounced again in an enormous method, scoring a win over ‘MMA Sister’ Lin Heqin at ONE on Prime Video 1 in August.
Ham Search engine optimisation Hee will undoubtedly be the best problem of Hirata’s still-developing profession, but when she will be able to rating a win, it should instantly thrust her in the direction of the highest of the atomweight division, priming her for a ONE world title alternative.
Itsuki Hirata has made New York her residence as she continues to develop her MMA recreation
Throughout her interview with the promotion, Itsuki Hirata revealed that she has, the truth is, relocated to New York to place a higher deal with growing her combined martial arts expertise:
“I’m residing in New York and renting a home right here, so for now, it’s New York [that is home]… I feel New York is the perfect place for me to coach as a result of it gives alternatives in power and conditioning, actions which are relevant to MMA, and the extent of MMA and cage wrestling.”
Initially, ‘Android 18’ traveled to the USA on account of a scarcity of sparring companions and selection in these she may practice alongside whereas in Japan. After all, Itsuki Hirata takes nice delight in representing her nation and goals to convey a ONE world title again to the land of the rising solar, however with a view to be the perfect fighter she might be, it was a essential change.
All ONE Struggle Night time occasions are broadcast dwell and free of charge in North America by way of Prime Video.