Ritu Phogat breaks down her fight with Itsuki Hirata at ONE: NEXT GEN

Indian MMA star Ritu Phogat is set to make her return on October 29, 2021, at ONE: NEXT GEN. She will be facing Itsuki Hirata in the ONE Atomweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals at the event. With a place in the final up for grabs, the stakes are high for the fight and Ritu is feeling confident.

The Indian Tigress admits that Hirata is a tough challenge due to her wrestling prowess.

“Hirata will be a tough challenge. She’s strong and she has good wrestling skills, so getting takedowns against her won’t be easy. It’s tougher to take down a grappler than a striker, so it won’t be easy to beat her,” Ritu said while talking to ONE Championship.

Ritu further went on to add that she can counter the challenges that Hirata poses.

“You attack the legs more in wrestling, while in Judo, the upper body is targeted. I will be able to counter Hirata’s upper body attacks with different kinds of strikes. So, my wrestling will prevail over her judo skills. She uses her upper body strength for the takedown and brings her opponents to the ground. She also has just one skill, but my game is better than hers,” she added.

Ritu Phogat promises strong performance against Itsuki Hirata

The Indian, who is known for her wrestling skills, added that she will look for a knockout if she gets the opportunity to do so.

“It’ll be a mistake to count me out because you are going to see a different Ritu Phogat in every match. “If [Hirata] says that I can win only one way, then she should remember that I am the best at that. I don’t think anyone in the atomweight category can match my wrestling skills. If I get an opportunity, I will try to finish the fight with a knockout,” Ritu said.

While concluding, Ritu reiterated that getting the ONE Championship World title is her ultimate goal.

“I want to change people’s opinion that Ritu Phogat is only good at wrestling. I would like to win this fight in a different way so that my opponent in the final knows that I can win in different ways. I am here only because of the support of my fans. Please keep showering me with your love and support. I will soon win the silver and golden belts,” The Indian Tigress concluded.

ALSO READ | Stamp Fairtex gives her prediction for Ritu Phogat vs. Itsuki Hirata

Who do you think will book a spot in the ONE Atomweight Grand Prix Finals? Let us know in the comment section of the article below.

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