Itsuki Hirata is focused on taking Ham Seo Hee to the ground

Japanese mixed martial arts star Itsuki Hirata has studied her opponent for ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video next week and feels taking the game to the ground is her best option.

'Android 18' will return to action in ONE Championship’s third Amazon show of the year on March 24 in Singapore. She will take on South Korean veteran Ham Seo Hee in a featured atomweight clash.

Itsuki Hirata shared in an interview with the promotion that she found limitations in Ham Seo Hee’s ground game and intends to capitalize on them:

“I’ve been focusing [in training camp] on wrestling and grappling, just like the last time. I think Ham is good at boxing range. When I watched her fight with [Denice] Zamboanga, I felt that her range of wrestling, grappling, and takedown techniques was narrow. I’m good at takedowns and ground fighting, so I hope to take it there, if possible.”

The two warriors were originally set to meet last November but were shelved after the Japanese star missed weight and hydration.

Itsuki Hirata was last in action in August 2022 when she swung back to the win column after beating China’s Lin Heqin by unanimous decision. She is now looking to start another winning streak at ONE Fight Night 8 to get back in the title contention mix.

Ham Seo Hee, meanwhile, has won back-to-back matches in ONE, both coming at the expense of Filipino Denice Zamboanga. She is currently the No. 2 contender in the atomweight division.

All ONE Fight Night events are broadcast live and for free in North America via Prime Video.

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Itsuki Hirata sends message to upcoming opponent Ham Seo Hee

Japanese phenom Itsuki Hirata is grateful to South Korean veteran Ham Seo Hee for giving their ONE Championship fight another go.

Originally scheduled to collide back in November, the fight fell through after 'Android 18' missed weight and hydration. Hirata and her team tried to negotiate to make it a catchweight bout, but Ham Seo Hee’s camp did not agree, forcing it to be called off.

The two are now battling at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video on March 24 in Singapore.

Speaking to ONE Championship, Hirata said she owned up to what happened in their botched fight while also expressing gratitude to Ham for agreeing to fight her again:

“For Ham Seo Hee, thanks for waiting. For people who always supported me, I'm sorry that I’ve made mistakes many times but I will get the victory for you all. Thank you.”

ONE Fight Night 8 will take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and will be headlined by the all-Thai ONE flyweight Muay Thai world championship battle between reigning champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 and No.1 contender Rodtang Jitmuangnon.