WATCH: ONE Atomweight Grand Prix Semi-Finalists Face-Off ahead of ONE: NEXT GEN

ONE Championship athletes, former ONE Atomweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion and current #3-ranked atomweight contender Stamp Fairtex and her opponent, Grand Prix alternate Julie Mezabarba, as well as #4-ranked atomweight contender Ritu Phogat and her opponent, Grand Prix alternate Jenelyn Olsim, spoke to ONE Championship ahead of their semifinal matchups in the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix.

The high-profile tournament headline ONE: NEXTGEN, which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium this Friday, 29 October. Hosted by ONE commentator, Michael Schiavello, the four athletes went head-to-head in virtual faceoff interviews. You can check out the complete interviews below.

Stamp Fairtex vs. Julie Mezabarba

Ritu Phogat vs. Jenelyn Olsim

You can also see the best quotes from the face-off below.

Stamp Fairtex:

She is quite strong, quite tough, and a little bit bigger than me so it’s going to be a tough fight for me. I mastered Muay Thai and I have been practicing it all my life. I will try to knock her out if I can. In my mind, I only need a victory. [Julie] wants to knock me out, but she better be careful because she might get knocked out instead.

Julie Mezabarba:

My fans can expect a very tough Julie with a lot of blood in her eyes, no playing around. I don’t think the fighting styles make any of us better than the other. I think both of us have our own qualities. To me, it doesn’t matter. A win is a win. I want to win by knockout but a win is a win, whatever way it may come.

Ritu Phogat:

Definitely do not underestimate me. I have the power, I have the strength to prove you wrong. Be careful. I was really hoping to fight Hirata. [The matchup] had come through popular public demand. I was prepared for her. Although the matchup with Jenelyn has come at the eleventh hour, I'm confident in my skills, my training, and I know I can take on anyone. It’s not something that shakes me up. I'm untouched by pressure. I don't allow myself to get intimidated by pressure. I know I’m prepared and I follow the course of my game plan.

Jenelyn Olsim:

I believe that wrestling is [Riut’s] biggest asset. I can handle her wrestling, I want to prove I’m not just some alternate. I don’t underestimate Ritu. But I can outstrike her, I also know her biggest strength is wrestling. I’m just not going to let her pin me down. First of all, I am very confident in myself. I trust my training, my coaches, my gym. I think I can beat anyone they give me. I accept every fight they give me. I’m very motivated right now. And focused. I want to win. I believe in the saying never leave it to the judges. I will give everything I have, I will do everything to finish her. It’s either submission or knockout.

ALSO READ | Ritu Phogat to fight Jenelyn Olsim of Team Lakay in ONE Atomweight Grand Prix

What are your predictions for the event? Let us know in the comment section of the article below.

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