Itsuki Hirata, known as “Android 18”, will return to the U.S. spotlight at ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II on Prime Video on Friday, June 7th. She will face off against Victoria “Vick” Souza in a crucial atomweight MMA match, determined to showcase her championship skills following two recent losses.
With a solid 5-1 record in ONE Championship, the 24-year-old fighter experienced setbacks against former title contenders. To revamp her training, Hirata made the decision to return to Japan and train under coach Kenji Osawa at Wajutsu Keishukai HEARTS, bringing a fresh perspective to her preparations.
Hirata is focused on adopting a more aggressive fighting style for her upcoming bout with Souza. She has expressed her commitment to taking the initiative in the fight and aiming to secure an early finish rather than going through the full 15 minutes.
In her past defeats, Hirata showed signs of hesitation and caution, but she now exudes more confidence and clarity. She believes that her size and expertise give her the edge over Souza in both striking and grappling.
A skilled judoka with a knack for submissions, Hirata plans to outmatch Souza in grappling and clinch a victory in their upcoming match. Despite her recent losing streak, Hirata has embraced the lessons learned from those setbacks, understanding the importance of learning from failures in training and entering fights with a composed and receptive mindset.
Working alongside coach Osawa has helped shift her mindset to a more composed and deliberate approach, highlighting her as a more formidable and versatile fighter. Hirata looks to bounce back from her defeats and demonstrate her abilities in the upcoming showdown with Souza.
