Itsuki Hirata is determined to get back on form in ONE Championship, and she wants to do it as fast as possible in her upcoming outing. 

This Friday, June 7, on U.S. primetime, “Android 18” is set to take on Victoria “Vick” Souza in an atomweight MMA bout at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Japanese star became a contender in the stacked division by amassing four straight wins upon her arrival at ONE in 2019. However, she has struggled to find consistency of late, winning only one of her last four bouts.

Itsuki Hirata wants to end her bout with Victoria Souza as soon as possible

Knowing how much is riding on her next engagement, Hirata has made some drastic changes to her preparations, particularly relocating back to Japan from the United States. As a result, she is now refreshed and fully determined to unleash her dominant side again. 

“I want to show my strengths and the determination to win no matter what. Instead of waiting, I’ll attack first. If I can win that way, I don’t have to fight a full 15 minutes,” she told ONE in an interview. 

“The sooner it ends, the better. I’ll go on the offensive from the start so I don’t have to fight for 15 minutes.”

Against Souza, she will face a tough, well-rounded opponent who has shown she can go the distance and isn’t afraid to battle it out anywhere. 

Nonetheless, “Android 18” is confident that she can dictate the tempo of their match and take advantage of any opening that becomes available to her.

“Since I’m a bit bigger, my reach will be different, and if I can strike smartly, I think I’ll have opportunities in the stand-up,” Hirata said. 

“And in grappling, if I take her down, I think I can ground and pound from the top, so I’ll fight without losing focus for even a second.”

“Android 18” reveals the outcome she desires against “Vick”

The Wajutsu Keishukai HEARTS athlete is a skilled judoka with the ability to take any foe to the ground at will. 

While it may be a dangerous place to go against a talented grappler like Souza, Hirata believes beating her at her own game will make a noteworthy statement. 

“I’m confident I can get a finish, and I want to get a finish. I want to beat a strong grappler with grappling,” she said. 

“I’ll mix it up without overly sticking to one thing. But if I can get a submission, make her tap out, that would feel great.”