Japanese star Itsuki Hirata believes improved grappling will secure her victory at the upcoming atomweight MMA rematch in Tokyo.
Japanese MMA fighter Itsuki Hirata is preparing for a high-stakes atomweight rematch against Jihin Radzuan at ONE Samurai 4, scheduled for Saturday, October 17, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
The 27-year-old athlete enters the contest aiming to avenge a career-defining loss from 2022, where her opponent successfully neutralized her signature judo throws over three grueling rounds, according to information published by bjpenn.
With the ONE Women's Atomweight MMA World Title currently vacant following Denice Zamboanga relinquishing the belt, Hirata views this upcoming clash as a crucial title eliminator to determine the next top contender.
Overcoming Past Vulnerabilities in MMA
When Itsuki Hirata faced Jihin Radzuan at ONE X in 2022, she entered the bout with four consecutive victories on the global stage, including three impressive finishes by the talented judoka.
However, her opponent completely shut down her grappling game, handing the Tokyo native the first defeat of her professional mixed martial arts career and exposing critical vulnerabilities in her fighting style.
Rather than letting the subsequent three-fight skid derail her career, the dedicated competitor spent the last four years actively transforming those previous weaknesses into significant competitive advantages.
The Evolution of Itsuki Hirata's Grappling Skills
Reflecting on her preparations for the upcoming ONE Samurai 4 event, Itsuki Hirata emphasized how much her ground game has evolved since their first encounter inside the cage.
Last time she controlled the action and completely nullified my ground attacks for the entire duration, but now my grappling is vastly improved, giving me a much better chance to secure a victory on fight night.
Her recent performances reflect this noticeable upward trajectory, highlighted by a dominant third-round submission victory over Ritu Phogat at ONE Samurai 1 back in April.
Chasing the Vacant Atomweight World Title
The ONE Women's Atomweight MMA World Title sits vacant after Denice Zamboanga relinquished the championship belt, creating a clear pathway for top contenders in the division.
Itsuki Hirata initially expected her rival to receive the next title shot automatically, but the booking of this rematch changes the landscape for the division's future.
The winner of this high-stakes bout must be the next challenger for the golden belt, leaving zero margin for error for the determined Japanese contender.
High Stakes at Ariake Arena in Tokyo
Competing on home soil at the Ariake Arena adds an extra layer of pressure for Itsuki Hirata as she steps into the cage on Saturday, October 17.
She acknowledges the absolute necessity of securing a victory to remain relevant in the championship conversation within the organization's competitive atomweight division.
If I fail to win this fight, I simply have no right to talk about challenging for the world title next, reinforcing her urgent motivation for the upcoming rematch.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the rematch between Itsuki Hirata and Jihin Radzuan?
The atomweight MMA rematch takes place on Saturday, October 17, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
Why is the upcoming ONE Samurai 4 bout so important for Itsuki Hirata?
With the atomweight world title vacant, Hirata views the rematch as a de facto title eliminator where the winner earns the right to challenge for the belt.
What went wrong in the first fight between Hirata and Radzuan?
During their 2022 encounter, Radzuan successfully neutralized Hirata's signature judo and grappling skills for three rounds to hand the Japanese star her first career loss.
