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Itsuki Hirata admits to feeling a significant amount of anxiety as she attempts to cut weight for her return to the circle this Friday night.
‘Android 18’ hopes to score the biggest win of her mixed martial arts career when she meets No. 2 ranked atomweight contender Ham Seo Hee at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video.
Before Hirata can step inside the circle, she’ll have to step on the scale and pass her hydration test, something that has not always been easy for Hirata in the past.
Hours away from her next scheduled hydration test and weigh-in, Hirata shared her concerns over making weight in an interview with ONE Championship.
“I am full of anxiety, but I will believe in myself and see it through.”
In November, she was scheduled to scrap with Ham at ONE 163 but failed multiple hydration tests, forcing Ham to either allow the bout to move forward as a catchweight or call the whole thing off. She opted for the latter and then immediately criticized Itsuski Hirata for her unprofessional conduct. Hirata even received harsh remarks from fans on social media, forcing the Japanese standout to walk away from online platforms for a period of time.
‘Android 18’ is undeniably grateful for the opportunity to rebook her showdown with Ham Seo Hee, but was both open and honest regarding her weigh-in concerns and the difficulty that comes with safely cutting weight before a fight.
“It's always tough,” Hirata concluded.
Ham Seo Hee believes Itsuki Hirata will make the weight ahead of ONE Fight Night 8
When Itsuki Hirata failed to make weight for their November showdown, nobody was more critical of ‘Android 18’ than Ham Seo Hee. Despite that, ‘Hamzzang’ was more than willing to give Hirata another opportunity to make the weight and step inside the circle with her.
“I was open and ready to fight other fighters, but I did want to fight Itsuki Hirata because we were supposed to fight, and as long as she got her weight and hydration issues resolved I was willing to fight,” Ham said. “That’s why I said yes.”
With a ONE world title fight hanging in the balance, Ham Seo Hee is eager to get back inside the cage and earn her 26th career win. She believes the opportunity will come against Itsuki Hirata on Friday night. Though confident, Ham will have no problem laying into Hirata should she show up overweight or lack the proper hydration to proceed with their second straight scheduled scrap:
“I really believe she will be able to make the weight,” Ham said. “If she’s unable to, that’s unacceptable.”
