Out of every setback Itsuki “Android 18” Hirata has absorbed, one has never really faded. More than four years after Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan handed her the first loss of her career, the Japanese star finally gets her rematch in front of a home crowd.

The pair meet in an atomweight MMA rematch at ONE SAMURAI 4 on Saturday, October 17, live from Ariake Arena in Tokyo. For the 27-year-old Adachi native, it is the fight she has been waiting for.

Hirata entered ONE X in 2022 unbeaten, having won four straight on the global stage with three finishes. Jihin, the underdog from Johor Bahru, edged a close split decision that snapped that perfect run and knocked the judoka off the fast track to a title shot.

What followed was the most turbulent chapter of her career, including a three-fight skid. Through it all, the Malaysian’s name never left her mind.

“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 said.

The old spark has returned for her lately, and her form is trending upward. Hirata has won two of her last three outings, none bigger than a third-round rear-naked choke of Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat at ONE SAMURAI 1 in Tokyo this past April.

That night, her hometown fans filled the stands to cheer her on. She hopes to draw on the same energy when she steps back into Ariake Arena with the vacant ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title looming in the background.

For Hirata, simply being chosen for one of the biggest cards of the year carries special meaning.

“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,” she said.

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