Learn about Itsuki Hirata’s inspiring martial arts journey

ONE Championship collaborated with Amazon Prime Video to make a short video about Itsuki Hirata’s combat sports journey.

On March 24, Hirata makes her seventh appearance in the Circle at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video. ‘Android 18’ has been matched up against her most formidable opponent yet, number two-ranked women’s atomweight Ham Seo Hee.

Before their clash in Singapore, ONE shared a story about the Japanese-born fighter's career. In the Instagram video, Hirata’s fighting journey was described with the following narration:

“Itsuki Hirata is one of the hottest young stars in women’s MMA. A judo prodigy in her native Japan, Hirata’s Olympic dreams were derailed by injury. She soon switched to mixed martial arts, winning a tournament to earn a ONE contract, and going 5-1 since in the Circle. On March 24, Hirata looks to prove she’s elite against atomweight legend Ham Seo Hee.”

Watch the video of Itsuki Hirata's combat sports journey posted by ONE Championship below:

Hirata made her promotional debut in June 2019, defeating Angelie Sabanal by a first-round submission. ‘Android 18’ continued building momentum with two more wins inside the distance, leading to a spot in the Atomweight MMA World Grand Prix.

The Japanese-born fighter won her quarterfinal matchup against Alyse Anderson before pulling out of the tournament due to an illness. Hirata suffered her first professional MMA loss next time out against Jihin Radzuan in March 2022. Five months later, ‘Android 18’ bounced back by taking out Lin Heqin at ONE on Prime Video 1.

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Itsuki Hirata opens up about being able to express herself in the Circle

Itsuki Hirata is an outgoing fighter who puts on a show when she enters the Circle. Despite her entertaining personality in the ONE Championship spotlight, the 23-year-old admitted she is shy in public. During the same Instagram video about her journey, ‘Android 18’ had this to say:

“I’m usually shy in person, but that shyness goes away on social media and in the Circle. I feel comfortable expressing myself and showing my personality.”

Hirata has a tough test waiting on March 24. Ham Seo Hee is a seasoned veteran looking to advance her promotional record to 3-0 and earn a title shot. With that said, ‘Android 18’ continues to evolve and might silence the doubters by taking out Ham. ONE Fight Night 8 can be seen live and for free by North American Prime Video subscribers.