Itsuki Hirata says she paid no attention to Ham Seo Hee’s criticism

At ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video, Itsuki Hirata feels she will have a point to prove.

Not only does she have a huge fight coming up against the atomweight division’s No.2 ranked contender Ham Seo Hee, she needs to dispel some criticism aimed at her as well. The two stars were scheduled to meet at ONE 163 in November, but the fight was called off after Hirata failed to make weight.

Her opponent showed no sympathy following the weight miss, declining the fight at a catchweight contest and criticizing the Japanese standout on social media. In an interview with the South China Morning Post on YouTube, ‘Android 18’ said that she didn’t let any of the outside talk interfere with her preparations, choosing to focus on her own goals instead:

“I didn’t see Ham Seo Hee’s posts so much, but I have quite good motivation all the time because I really want to fight in this division and win then go back to Japan.”

Watch the full interview below:

After both fighters made weight, the time for talking is over. Now that she has proved a point on the scales, Itsuki Hirata will look to do the same inside the Circle and get her hand raised, declaring herself as the possible next in line for a shot at the world championship.

ONE Fight Night 8 is set for Mar. 24 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The entire card will be available live and for free to all Prime Video subscribers in North America.

---

Itsuki Hirata identifies Ham Seo Hee’s one weakness

At ONE Fight Night 8, Itsuki Hirata will compete in the biggest fight of her career to date against the South Korean veteran Ham Seo Hee.

With her opponent massively outmatching her in terms of experience, ‘Android 18’ believes she has found one weakness in Hee's game that she could exploit. After suffering her first pro loss last year, Hirata rebounded with a decision win against Lin Heqin at ONE on Prime Video 1.

With a win in her next fight on Mar. 24, the Japanese standout would secure herself a shot at Angela Lee’s ONE atomweight world championship. Hirata is going into just her seventh fight at in ONE Championship, so she has a lot to prove against Ham Seo Hee.

The clear difference between the two competitors is the 13-year age gap. and Hirata believes she can use that to her advantage on fight night. In an interview with ONE Championship, she said:

“Her weakness is probably her age. I think I have to win with my stamina due to my youth.”

Coming into the fight with the intention of taking her opponent down and forcing her to compete in a grappling contest, Itsuki Hirata will hope that her pressure and pace wears down the South Korean veteran.

ONE Fight Night 8 on Mar. 24 will be broadcast live and for free via Prime Video for North American ONE Championship fans.