• Sports News
  • MMA
  • ONE Championship
  • Itsuki Hirata says she is "full of anxiety" about finally making weight against Ham Seo Hee
Itsuki Hirata is back at ONE Fight Night 8 on March 24

Itsuki Hirata says she is "full of anxiety" about finally making weight against Ham Seo Hee

At ONE Fight Night 8 on March 24, atomweight contenders Itsuki Hirata and Ham Seo Hee will finally clash in a highly anticipated bout.

The two competitors were originally scheduled to face off against one another at ONE 163 in November. With one of the most experienced mixed martial artists on ONE Championship’s roster taking on one of the promotion’s biggest prospects, fans were disappointed when the fight fell through.

Ad

Following Itsuki Hirata missing weight and failing her hydration test, Ham Seo Hee refused to accept the fight at a catchweight limit due to Hirata’s history with failing to make weight.

With an atomweight world championship shot against Angela Lee on the line, the South Korean competitor wasn’t interested in giving her opponent any kind of advantage.

Ahead of their rescheduled fight this month live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Hirata revealed that the experience of preparing for their originally scheduled contest has stayed with her.

Ad

In an interview with ONE Championship, ‘Android 18’ said:

“I am full of anxiety [about returning and making the weight], but I believe in myself and see it through.”
Ad

ONE Fight Night 8 will air live and for free for North American viewers via Prime Video.


Itsuki Hirata is thankful ONE Championship is giving her another chance

Ad

Japanese atomweight contender Itsuki Hirata was responsible for her last fight being canceled and she is grateful to ONE Championship for giving her the chance to put things right.

After missing weight ahead of ONE 163, her fight with the No.2-ranked contender Ham Seo Hee was canceled. With the winner potentially earning a shot at the atomweight world championship, it was a huge opportunity for Hirata to cement herself as a title challenger.

‘Android 18’ was fresh off winning a unanimous decision against Lin Heqin, rebounding from the first loss of her career. In a recent interview with ONE Championship, she thanked the promotion for this shot at redemption:

“When I got an offer for this fight, I was full of appreciation for everything... I really appreciate ONE Championship giving me a chance again.”

Not only does Hirata need to prove a point by successfully making weight and passing her hydration test, she then faces the tough task of defeating the South Korean MMA veteran.

Ad

Check out the highlights of Hirata’s win over Lin Heqin at ONE on Prime Video 1 last year:

Ad
Edited by
Aziel Karthak
 
See more
More from Sportskeeda