3 of Itsuki Hirata’s Most Impressive Performances in ONE Championship

This Friday, at ONE Fight Night 8: Superlek vs. Williams on Prime Video, Japanese sensation Itsuki ‘Android 18” Hirata will take on veteran Ham “Hamzzang” Seo Hee in a highly anticipated MMA showdown that could propel her to the top of the atomweight division. 

Set to go down in the Singapore Indoor Stadium, this high-stakes matchup is the biggest fight of Hirata’s still-young career. With six thrilling fights in ONE Championship, the 23-year-old has blazed her way to international acclaim, landing her in this potential World Title eliminator bout against the South Korean brawler. 

Before she takes to the Circle on Friday night, we look at three of Hirata’s stellar performances in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

#1 Completely Dominates Rika Ishige 

In October 2019 at ONE: CENTURY PART I, “Android 18” displayed the full depth of her prodigious talent when she dominated Thai standout Rika Ishige from start to finish. 

Feared for her world-class grappling and submission acumen, Hirata opened the bout with a thunderous right hand to put her foe on the canvas. From there, she punished Ishige with ground-and-pound, suffocating top control, and a bevy of submission attempts. 

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The finish came late in the second round after the Japanese star continued to land massive punches on the feet and the ground, eventually finding a brutal scissor choke to secure the spectacular submission victory.

#2 Brutalizes Nyrene Crowley 

Next, in February 2020, Hirata battled striking specialist Nyrene Crowley. After weathering an early storm from the New Zelander, “Android 18” proceeded to put on a terrifying takedown and grappling clinic, battering her foe with ruthless ground-and-pound through most of the second and third rounds. 

Eventually, Hirata worked her way to the mount position where she rained down blows on an exhausted Crowley to secure another unforgettable stoppage.

#3 Showcases Punching Power Against Lin Heqin

 In her most recent appearance, last August at ONE on Prime Video 1, the Japanese phenom took on the well-rounded Lin Heqin. After over 14 minutes of high-paced, back-and-forth action, “Android 18” seemed to be on her way to losing a decision. 

But in the final 30 seconds of the bout, Hirata dropped the Chinese athlete with a massive right hand and followed that up with vicious ground strikes as time expired.