Itsuki Hirata wants to defeat "many opponents" en route to world title shot

Japanese phenom Itsuki Hirata has her eyes trained on becoming a world champion and wants to defeat as many opponents as possible as she makes her way to the title

'Android 18' resumes her push in the ONE atomweight division later this week as she battles South Korean veteran Ham Seo Hee. The two will collide in a featured contest at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video on March 24 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Itsuki Hirata is looking to build on her victory last August and start another winning streak to throw her name back in the title contention conversation.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Hirata said she wants to earn a title shot by piling up wins against quality opponents like Ham Seo Hee:

“While the title shot is important, there are still many opponents I want to defeat. I want to become a fighter who is deserving of the championship and can make everyone understand that.”

The two atomweight stars were supposed to face off as early as November last year at ONE 163, but Hirata missed weight and hydration ahead of the event, forcing the showdown to be shelved.

Now given the chance to reengage with Ham, 'Android 18' is grateful to ONE and has vowed to make sure she makes weight and is ready this time around.

Itsuki Hirata swung back into the win column in her last fight, beating China's Lin Heqin in August by unanimous decision.

All ONE Fight Night events are broadcast live and for free to North American fans with an active Prime Video subscription.

Itsuki Hirata is thankful ONE Championship is giving her another chance

ONE Championship atomweight star Itsuki Hirata knew she messed up big time ahead of her scheduled fight late last year and is grateful to the promotion for still believing in her and giving her a chance to redeem herself.

'Android 18' missed weight and hydration ahead of ONE 163 back in November, forcing her showdown with the No.2-ranked contender Ham Seo Hee to be shelved.

Itsuki Hirata has owned up to her mistakes since and has been looking forward to the day when she could make up for the mess she made.

That day comes on March 24 when she is booked to fight Ham at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. It is something she thanks ONE Championship for.

Hirata shared this in an interview with the promotion in the lead-up, saying:

“When I got an offer for this fight, I was full of appreciation for everything... I really appreciate ONE Championship giving me a chance again.”

Apart from ONE, 'Android 18' thanked Ham Seo Hee as well for agreeing to fight her again after what went down last time around.