News
By Ben Coate
Date: Dec 24, 2024
Ayaka Miura and Ritu Phogat have been booked for a pivotal atomweight MMA contest at ONE 171: Qatar, scheduled to take place at the Lusail Sports Arena on February 20. This matchup features two highly skilled grapplers in the division, both of whom are on impressive trajectories in their careers.
Miura, a former ONE World Title challenger at strawweight, has looked exceptional since transitioning to atomweight, entering this fight on a three-fight winning streak. Her debut in the atomweight division at ONE 165 showcased her talents, as she claimed a hard-fought decision victory against fellow judo black belt Itsuki Hirata in January.
Following that, Miura continued to impress with a first-round submission of Argentina’s Macarena Aragon at ONE 169, marking her sixth submission victory in ONE. Her recent performances have solidified her position as the #5-ranked contender in atomweight, where she aims to leverage her elite takedown skills to establish herself as a formidable challenger for the World Title.
On the other side of the cage, Ritu Phogat presents a challenging stylistic matchup. The former Commonwealth Wrestling Gold Medalist transitioned into MMA and quickly became a powerhouse in the atomweight division. Phogat’s professional career, which began in 2019, has recorded an impressive 7-1 record and saw her reach the finals of the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Grand Prix.
However, her path hasn’t been without obstacles, as she faced setbacks with a submission loss to current champion Stamp Fairtex in the Grand Prix final and another defeat against Singaporean star Tiffany Teo. Eager to bounce back, Phogat has the opportunity to make a significant impact in the rankings with a win over Miura.
Fans eagerly anticipate the clash of these two grappling specialists, as both fighters bring unique strengths to the octagon. Miura’s formidable submission skills will meet Phogat’s world-class takedown ability and ground-and-pound tactics, promising an electrifying matchup.
To stay updated with all news and announcements regarding ONE 171: Qatar, make sure to check onefc.com regularly.
