5 reasons Ritu Phogat will win the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix

#4 Ritu Phogat: Improved striking

When Ritu Phogat made the decision to switch from wrestling to mixed martial arts, she also chose to develop her fighting style at the world-renowned Evolve MMA in Singapore – home to a plethora of martial arts world champions from different disciplines.

Some of the biggest names the Indian wrestling star works with on a daily basis include Muay Thai world champions Nong-O Gaiyanghadao and Sam-A Gaiyanghadao. She’s also very close friends with reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion 'The Panda' Xiong Jing Nan, and the two frequently train together.

But 'The Indian Tigress' has former WBA Boxing World Champion Drian 'Gintong Kamao' Francisco to thank for surprisingly explosive hands and vastly improved boxing skills. Francisco is a Filipino boxer who has worked with the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Jerwin Ancajas in the past, and who now currently heads Evolve MMA’s boxing program.

#3 Ritu Phogat: Grappling defense

Evolve MMA boasts of a fantastic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program, and is home to BJJ black belts and world champions such as Alex Silva and Teco Shinzato. Both men have consistently worked with Ritu Phogat in developing her ground game to complement her wrestling.

Hirata, Ritu Phogat’s opponent, is known for her dangerous submissions, so 'The Indian Tigress' has to be at her best. And she is certainly no slouch on this front either.

With the privilege of training and rolling with BJJ world champions on a daily basis, learning the trade from the most accomplished grapplers in the sport, you can bet Ritu Phogat’s submission defense is top notch, and she will need every last bit of it against Hirata.

Evolve has bestowed ample grappling skills on non-grapplers like Xiong Jing Nan, former strawweight titleholder Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke, and top lightweight Amir Khan. They are now doing the same for the Balali native.