Itsuki Hirata Believes She Can Expose Ritu Phogat At ONE SAMURAI 1

Itsuki Hirata needs a big night in Tokyo. She is planning to deliver one.

The Japanese judoka takes on Indian fighter Ritu Phogat in an atomweight MMA contest at ONE SAMURAI 1 on April 29 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, in a fight that carries significant implications for both women's careers.

The bout was originally scheduled for last year before Phogat suffered an injury that forced the cancellation, adding another layer of anticipation to a matchup that has been a long time coming.

Hirata's ONE Championship journey has been one of contrasts. She announced herself as one of the division's most exciting fighters by winning five of her first six fights, her judo-based grappling and heavy ground-and-pound making her a nightmare to deal with in close quarters.

The years that followed brought four defeats and only one victory, a stretch that has sharpened her hunger heading into this home appearance.

Her preparation has been built around a clear-eyed assessment of what Phogat brings to the contest. The 31-year-old Indian is one of the most decorated wrestlers to have competed in ONE Championship, having won seven of her first eight MMA fights on the strength of a powerful ground game.

Hirata respects the threat while remaining clear about where she holds the advantage.

"She's strong in wrestling — you can tell from her background, especially with her takedowns. I think her weakness is outside of wrestling," Hirata said.

Rather than shy away from the grappling battle that Phogat will almost certainly seek, the Japanese fighter sees those exchanges as an opportunity to impose her own game.

"I expect her to grapple, but in those situations, I believe I'll have my chances, so I want to be fully prepared even if I get taken down. In striking and on the ground, I feel like I have more options, but in the end, you never know until you engage," she said.

When it comes to how she wants the fight to end, Hirata is direct.

"I want to finish the fight with my grappling, which is my strength, and get the win, so I can move forward to the next one," she said.