Itsuki Hirata hopes for early finish against Lin Heqin, wants rematch with Jihin

Itsuki Hirata is all set to make her return to the ONE Championship circle on 26 August 2022 at ONE on Prime Video 1 when she faces Lin Heqin. The fight will happen on the lead card and the stakes are high for both the fighters.

Hirata comes into the fight on the back of her first professional MMA loss. The Japanese MMA star went up against Jihin Radzuan in her last fight and suffered a split decision loss. She is hoping to bounce back strongly from this defeat as she steps back into the ONE Circle to face Lin Heqin.

Speaking to ONE Championship in an exclusive interview, Hirata noted that she is looking for an early finish against her Chinese opponent.

“I’d like to finish the fight with submission while mixing it up with striking. I hope to finish early, but my opponent has a long reach and a sense of distance, so let’s see how close I can get to her,” Hirata noted in the interview.

Revenge against Jihin Radzuan is in the plans

The immediate attention of Hirata might be on Lin Heqin, but the Japanese star has her eyes set on a rematch with Jihin. Speaking further in her interview with ONE Championship, Hirata noted that she is out to avenge her first professional loss.

“I want to get revenge on [Jihin] because I don’t want to let her [have one] over me. I believe that I’m superior to her and will prove it the next time I face her in the Circle. I’m going to show the huge difference – not by decision, but by finishing her,” she noted.

Hirata currently holds a professional MMA record of 5-1 to her name and was on a five-fight undefeated streak before her loss to Jihin. She had secured wins over Angelie Sabanal. Rika Ishige, Nyrene Crowley, Miku Nakamura and Alyse Anderson during her run.

What do you think of the fight between Hirata and Lin Heqin? Let us know in the comments below.

LEAVE A COMMENT

Please login to leave a comment

0 Comments