‘I Can’t Lose This Fight’ – Itsuki Hirata Looks To Rewrite Story In Jihin Radzuan Rivalry At ONE SAMURAI 4
Some losses fade with time. Others leave an indelible mark — a painful reminder that never quite goes away.
For Itsuki “Android 18” Hirata, that scar came from a stinging defeat to Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan more than four years ago, and she finally has the chance to let it heal. The Japanese star faces her Malaysian rival in an atomweight MMA rematch at ONE SAMURAI 4 on Saturday, October 17, live from Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.
Much time has passed since their paths first converged. Out of all the setbacks Hirata has absorbed since, none has lingered like the night Jihin handed the Japanese star her first career loss.
Hirata entered ONE X in 2022 undefeated, having stormed onto the global stage with four straight victories, three of them by finish. Her rapid rise had her on the fast track to a shot at the World Title. But the underdog from Johor Bahru had other plans, as Jihin gutted out a close split decision to snap Hirata’s perfect record.
For “Android 18,” the second chapter of their rivalry cannot come soon enough.
She told onefc.com:
“I’ve always wanted this fight. This is the fight that has always been on my mind. I know Jihin is motivated and training hard as well. But I’m very excited and ready to fight. I’m thrilled we are going to rematch after some time.”
Hirata’s hunger for vindication is easy to understand. That fateful night exposed vulnerabilities in her game that her early wins had masked. Despite her decorated judo pedigree, Hirata saw her grappling neutralized, leaving the Japanese standout unable to land her signature throws.
The humbling lesson stayed with the Tokyo native all these years. Instead of letting it define her, Hirata used it as fuel to turn those flaws into strengths.
The 27-year-old explained:
“Last time I fought her, she controlled me, and I couldn’t do anything on the ground for the whole fight. But now, I’ve improved my grappling, so I have a better chance to defeat her. I’m very much improved, especially with my grappling.”
That initial loss to Jihin opened the most turbulent chapter of Hirata’s career, one that included a three-fight skid and left her place in the loaded atomweight division in question.
That painful history makes this sequel more than just another fight. The opponent who handed Hirata her first reality check now offers the clearest measure of how far she has come.
“Android 18” declared:
“This is going to be a very tough fight. I’m just determined to give it my all in every round.
“Avenging my defeat to her years ago is all I’m thinking about. If I can get my revenge, that would feel awesome.”
Hirata Is Fighting For More Than Revenge
Lately, the old spark has returned for Itsuki Hirata. She has won two of her last three outings, none bigger than her third-round rear-naked choke submission over Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat at ONE SAMURAI 1 in Tokyo this past April.
That sweet victory was magnified by the roar of her hometown fans, who filled the stands to cheer her on. Now, Hirata hopes to harness that same Tokyo energy for a crucial moment in her comeback, on one of the biggest martial arts cards of the year.
The Adachi native added:
“Being able to compete in my home country and being chosen for this big event is such a huge honor. I want to show a good fight, to prove to everyone that I belong on this stage.”
That being said, Hirata’s sights extend beyond just settling the score against a fierce rival. With the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title left vacant after former titleholder Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga relinquished the gold, the stakes stretch well past her rivalry with “Shadow Cat.”
Hirata views Jihin as the final hurdle standing between her and the ultimate goal of getting back to where she believes she truly belongs.
More than four years ago, Jihin derailed Hirata’s path to 26 pounds of gold. On October 17, the Japanese star gets the chance to steer herself back on course.
Hirata offered:
“At first, I thought Jihin was definitely in line to fight for the World Title next. But somehow, we’ve ended up with this rematch. So in my mind, whoever wins this fight should be the next contender for the belt.
“That’s why I can’t lose this fight. I have to win. I need to win, because if I don’t, I have no right to talk about the World Title.”
