Jihin Radzuan Wants Hirata Trilogy After Tokyo Decision Loss

The rivalry between Jihin Radzuan and Itsuki Hirata is now level, and the Malaysian wants to settle it. Radzuan lost a unanimous decision to Hirata in their women's atomweight MMA rematch at ONE SAMURAI 4 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on October 17, four years after she handed the Japanese judoka the first loss of her professional career at ONE X in March 2022.

This time Hirata turned the tables on home soil. Radzuan found success with punches and kicks while the fight stayed upright, but Hirata gradually took over with takedowns and long stretches of control that swayed the judges.

Lessons from the loss

The 28-year-old from Johor Bahru believes her striking held up and that the difference came on the mat, where she could not escape bad positions quickly enough and let Hirata set the pace. She said she should have shown more urgency and plans to put more work into her grappling. She also thought she hurt Hirata with her cross and noticed that her opponent seemed tired while holding her down.

Despite the result, the Malaysian national wushu champion said she enjoyed her first fight in Japan. Fans recognized her at the athlete hotel, asked for photos and autographs, and encouraged her after the bout, telling her she had done a good job.

Open to a third fight, eyes on gold

Radzuan admitted she does not usually like facing the same opponent again and again, but with the series at one win each she is ready for a decider. “Let’s do the trilogy.” Her bigger goal is the vacant ONE women's atomweight MMA world title, which Chihiro Sawada and Anastasia Nikolakakos will contest at ONE SAMURAI 6 on December 2. Radzuan faced Nikolakakos in July and plans to keep proving herself while she waits for a shot at the belt.