Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan has defeated everyone ONE Championship has thrown her way in the Malaysian’s first year in the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Puja Tomar, Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol, and former ONE World Title challenger Jenny “Lady Gogo” Huang provided the Ultimate MMA Academy product with stern tests, but the Johorean passed with flying colors.
The 20-year-old is close to a shot at the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship, but she knows she has to win a few more bouts before she gets a crack at the gold.
With that in mind, she already has her eyes locked on a certain opponent.
“All my battles are arranged by my coach,” she confesses.
“We talked a lot about who I should face next after my last victory, who will be the biggest and best challenge for me, and only one name sprung to our mind. It is Jomary Torres.”
The Filipina has been one of the most entertaining atomweight competitors to watch since her shocking promotional debut in August 2017, where she submitted Thai star Rika Ishige via rear-naked choke.
Torres, who is nicknamed “The Zamboanginian Fighter,” also notched a dominant unanimous decision victory against Nita Dea later that November, and then knocked out Team Lakay’s April Osenio in 40 seconds last January.
Radzuan knows the Catalan Fighting System representative is a talented foe, and their similarity in experience and skill set make for an intriguing clash.
“She is quite a well-rounded athlete who will provide me with a good level of competition on the ground and in the stand-up,” the Malaysian explains. “She’s had a decent year and faced tough opposition, and she can expect the same level of skill from me.”
Torres is not the only name on “Shadow Cat” and her head coach’s mind, however.
The pair is also interested in a match with Japan’s Mei “V.V.” Yamaguchi.
A DEEP Jewels Featherweight World Champion and former two-time ONE Women’s Atomweight World Title challenger, Yamaguchi is well-versed in all areas of the game.
She is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with polished wrestling, immense strength, and a devastating right cross.
While Radzuan would welcome this challenge, the rising star admits she may need to build up her resume before facing the adored veteran.
“Mei Yamaguchi will be a very good opponent, too, but she is very experienced and I’m still new to the sport,” she offers.
“I am looking forward to my next battle, and Torres would be the perfect candidate.”
Besides wanting to improve in her craft and build on her momentum in ONE Championship, Radzuan does not know what to expect from 2019.
That is part of the excitement, however, and she is prepared to embrace whatever comes her way.
“2019 is like a box of surprises to me,” she says. “I don’t know what will happen this year, but I’m looking forward to completing my studies.”
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