Hong Kong phenom Yu Yau Pui is forging her own path in the world of elite martial arts.

On August 2, at ONE Fight Night 24: Brooks vs. Balart on Prime Video, the 31-year-old brawler will square off with top Scottish striker Amy Pirnie in a pivotal atomweight Muay Thai contest.

Why did Yu Yau Pui stick with Muay Thai?

Set to air live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, that bout will be Yu’s chance to extend her impressive six-fight winning streak in ONE and continue her meteoric climb toward the top of the division.

That streak has established her as a true talent with World Title potential, but a career in Muay Thai didn’t always seem realistic for Yu.

In Hong Kong culture, sports and athletics aren’t viewed as legitimate career paths, but KF 1 fighter always knew she had a passion for the striking arts and wasn’t afraid to chase her dreams.

She explained, “I [felt] satisfied when I punched people in the face. If I really had time to dedicate to this sport, I thought I would have some kind of achievement, the kind of achievement that nobody saw as a possibility.

“In Hong Kong, you know, sport isn’t always profitable. People just consider sports as hobbies. You can’t make money when fighting Muay Thai. I just thought, ‘Why not? Why can’t I make money when I compete and do something that I like?’ I chose a way that nobody would dare to choose in Hong Kong.”

Through high school and early adulthood, Yu followed the traditional path expected of her – a serious focus on school, then college, then finding a high-paying job.

Before long, though, she realized that path wasn’t for her.

The traditional way of life wasn’t for Yau Pui

Luckily for fans, the atomweight knockout artist decided to pursue Muay Thai full-time and hasn’t looked back since.

She added, “In Hong Kong, it’s a very stressful culture, especially when you’re doing your studies. I remember at that time I dedicated all of my time to studying and getting into a college. Once I got into college, I just felt like, ‘Oh, this is endless.’

“When you’re in college, you need to study very hard and get good grades. After that, you need to find a well-paid job, work hard to earn a living, and get a [comfortable] life. I think this is endless, you know? You don’t know when this will end. You’re just doing it to satisfy the culture, to satisfy other people’s expectations. But it’s not what I wanted to do.”