After her recent struggles, Japanese star Itsuki Hirata is eager to remind everyone she's still a contender in the ONE atomweight MMA rankings with a statement win at ONE 167: Stamp vs Zamboanga on Prime Video.
On June 7, in ONE's return to Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, the 24-year-old fan-favorite can jump back to the winning column if she can get past Victoria 'Vick' Souza in a three-round slugfest.
Following the announcement of her addition to the stacked card, Hirata urged her massive following to support her against her Brazilian foe.
Here's what 'Android 18's Instagram post said when translated to English:
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"What up, guys! I'm back. I need everyone's help. Everyone's support is my power! I want everyone to support me. I'm sure it'll be a good match. I'm going to win."
Itsuki Hirata seemed destined for gold after a whirling 4-0 start under the ONE banner.
The former Judoka even relocated her training to the Serra-Longo Fight Team in New York to further develop her promising MMA skills.
However, Hirata was unable to continue her momentum against some of the biggest names in the division. This includes back-to-back setbacks against former title challengers Ham Seo Hee and Ayaka Miura.
We'll soon see if Hirata will regain her deadly form at ONE 167.
What Itsuki Hirata must do to get her hand raised at ONE 167
In hindsight, Hirata's troubles began when she shifted away from her bread-and-butter, which is her dominant grappling.
'Android 18' excels at imposing her overwhelming top pressure through her judo base and finishing off opponents with her vast submissions or punishing ground and pound.
Nevertheless, it's going to be much easier said than done against the well-rounded Souza.
Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada can witness ONE 167 on-demand, as it happens on US Primetime completely free of charge.