23-year-old Jihin Radzuan has been making her way up the ranks in ONE Championship over the past two years. Following her victorious performance at ONE X, the “Shadow Cat” has finally broken through into the official ONE athlete rankings.
The Malaysian star defeated previously unbeaten Itsuki Hirata by split decision on the stacked event to burst through to the next level.
There was no bad blood, according to the Ultimate MMA star. Radzuan was unbothered by the promotion from her Japanese counterpart in the run-up to the bout.
“I didn’t hold any grudge, nor did I have anything against [Hirata] when she told me stuff like she’s going to kill me or what, because I think she said that out [for] publicity or [used it as] ways to promote the fight during the Japan press conference,” Radzuan told ONE.
“Of course, the win was even more significant because a lot of people claim that she’s [one of the best], and I showed people that this wasn’t the case.”
“For me, right, actions are more important than words. I don’t have to explain to people that I’m going to shut her down in the Circle or what. I just let my effort, strategy, and the win answer it.
Radzuan shut down Hirata’s judo attacks and frustrated the Japanese star. It was exactly what the talented Malaysian had trained to do, and she was able to implement her gameplan to serve Hirata her first professional defeat.
“We (Ultimate MMA Head Coach Melvin Yeoh and Jihin) already expected what she was going to do, and we put high effort [and focus] on preparing for her. We never took her as an easy task,” said the 23-year-old.
The win made it three straight for Radzuan. She started her streak with a win over American Bi Nguyen before toppling veteran Mei Yamaguchi in February.
Finally in the rankings, Radzuan sees a clear path toward the title. She expects her work inside the Circle to do her talking for her, and eventually, the adulation will come.
“I can’t beg for respect from people, but what I can do is to continuously prove them wrong in the Circle. Given now that I’m in the top-five rankings, I’m not far from the belt fight. So I think in about four or five fights, more people can start acknowledging and respecting my skills,” said “Shadow Cat.”
As one of Malaysia’s biggest stars, Radzuan is now entering the upper echelon of the atomweight division. She stands ready to make her push toward the gold and prove she is among the elite.
