Ritu Phogat returns to ONE Atomweight Grand Prix, to fight Meng Bo of China

Indian MMA star Ritu Phogat has earned back her spot in the ONE Atomweight Grand Prix and will now fight Meng Bo of China at ONE: Empower on September 3, 2021 in Singapore.

Ritu Phogat made a strong return at ONE: Battleground last week when she defeated Lin Heqin of China. Not only did Ritu get back to winning ways, but she also ended the 11-fight winning streak of Heqin who was considered to be the Indian’s toughest challenge to date.

The Indian Tigress was one of the original eight contenders confirmed for the tournament but she lost her place in the tournament after a controversial defeat to Bi Nguyen. The win against Heqin, however, has helped Ritu reclaim the place in the Grand Prix.

Earlier, she had mentioned that she deserves to be in the ONE Atomweight Grand Prix.

“I deserve to be in the ONE Atomweight Grand Prix. I think I am one of the top contenders in the Atomweight Division,” she had said.

ONE Championship today announced a new date for ONE: EMPOWER, now set to broadcast live across the world on Friday, 3 September. The historic event marks the first all-women's fight card hosted by a major global martial arts organization.

In the main event, reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion Xiong Jing Nan defends her World Title against #2-ranked strawweight contender Michelle Nicolini. All four quarterfinal matchups for the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix were also announced, as well as three additional bouts on the lead card.

Denice Zamboanga (#1-ranked ONE atomweight) of the Philippines faces Seo Hee Ham (#5-ranked ONE atomweight) of South Korea in the latter’s ONE Championship debut.

Stamp Fairtex (#4-ranked ONE atomweight) of Thailand locks horns with Alyona Rassohyna (#3-ranked ONE atomweight) of Ukraine in a rematch of their hotly contested February bout.

Undefeated judoka Itsuki Hirata of Japan battles ONE Championship newcomer Alyse Anderson of the United States. Kickboxing star Anissa Meksen steps into the Circle for the first time against Cristina Morales.

In the featured lead card bout, Filipino-American striking sensation Jackie Buntan welcomes Daniela Lopez to ONE Super Series Muay Thai.

In a pair of World Grand Prix alternate bouts, former ONE Women’s Atomweight World Title challenger Mei Yamaguchi of Japan goes up against Julie Mezabarba of Brazil, while Grace Cleveland of the United States battles the winner of Bi Nguyen vs. Jenelyn Olsim from the tape-delayed ONE: BATTLEGROUND III event on 27 August.

ONE: Empower Fight Card:

ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship

• (C) Xiong Jing Nan vs. (2) Michelle Nicolini

Strawweight: 52.3 KG–56.7 KG

Mixed Martial Arts – Atomweight World Grand Prix

• Denice Zamboanga vs. Seo Hee Ham

Atomweight: 47.7 KG–52.2 KG

Mixed Martial Arts – Atomweight World Grand Prix

• (4) Stamp Fairtex vs. (3) Alyona Rassohyna

Atomweight: 47.7 KG–52.2 KG

Mixed Martial Arts – Atomweight World Grand Prix

• (2) Meng Bo vs. Ritu Phogat

Atomweight: 47.7 KG–52.2 KG

Mixed Martial Arts – Atomweight World Grand Prix

• Itsuki Hirata vs. Alyse Anderson

Atomweight: 47.7 KG–52.2 KG

Kickboxing

• Anissa Meksen vs. Cristina Morales

Atomweight: 47.7 KG–52.2 KG

LEAD CARD for ONE: Empower

Muay Thai

• Jackie Buntan vs. Daniela Lopez

Strawweight: 52.3 KG–56.7 KG

Mixed Martial Arts – Atomweight World Grand Prix Alternate

• Mei Yamaguchi vs. Julie Mezabarba

Atomweight: 47.7 KG–52.2 KG

Mixed Martial Arts – Atomweight World Grand Prix Alternate

• Bi Nguyen/Jenelyn Olsim vs. Grace Cleveland

Atomweight: 47.7 KG–52.2 KG

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