ONE Championship returns to Kuala Lumpur on Friday, 7 December with ONE: DESTINY OF CHAMPIONS, and the nation’s top female mixed martial artist Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan is set to lock horns with Chinese Taipei’s Jenny Huang (5-3).
Radzuan (3-0) admitted this will be the toughest test of her career, but she is prepared to put forth her best effort at the Axiata Arena that night.
“I’m excited for this battle. This will not be an easy one for me,” the bubbly Johorean says.
“ONE Championship has always given me tough opponents, and I love the fact that I’m up against a former ONE Women’s Atomweight World Title contender.”
Since signing the bout agreement, Radzuan has been studying her opponent’s tape and analyzing her skills.
The Ultimate MMA Academy product described the 27-year-old black belt judoka as someone who has a formidable ground game with improved stand-up abilities.
“I’ve spent a lot of time watching her previous fights and understanding her strengths and weaknesses together with my coach Melvin Yeoh,” the 20-year-old Malaysian explains.
“I’m 90 percent confident I can bring the win back to Johor. I’m better than her in striking, but she probably edges me on grappling and ground control.
“I wouldn’t say I’m weak on the ground, but I’ll try keeping the match a standing battle. I have to be very wary of her grappling and submission game.”
2018 has been a truly remarkable year for “Shadow Cat.”
The MIMMA Women’s Flyweight Champion was a largely unknown martial artist before her impressive submission victory over India’s Puja Tomar at ONE: VISIONS OF VICTORY in March.
Four months later, Radzuan impressed her Malaysian faithful again by recording a unanimous decision victory over Indonesia’s Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol.
“Sometimes, I go back and feel so blessed that I’ve represented [my country on] the biggest stage and [I am] still only 20 years of age,” she says.
Huang, meanwhile, will be aiming to get her career back on track after suffering a three-bout skid.
Although “Lady GoGo” came up short against the division’s elite, she is still as dangerous as ever, and “Shadow Cat” is not taking her lightly.
“I’m not looking at her record. I know she’s got no wins in the past three matches, but that doesn’t matter to me.
“As martial artists, we win and lose. But based on her last fight, I’ve never seen her change her game plan, so hopefully, she did not change much,” Radzuan jokes.
Apart from Radzuan, other Malaysians who will appear on the card include Agilan “Alligator” Thani, Gianni Subba, and new ONE Super Series Muay Thai competitorr Mohammed “Jordan Boy” Mahmoud.
In the main event, the legendary Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex takes on one of Australia’s top Muay Thai athletes in Luis Regis.
