Former Malaysian Invasion Mixed Martial Arts women’s champion Jihin “Shadowcat” Radzuan hopes to continue her impressive ONE Championship career when she faces Taiwan’s Jenny Huang next month.
Jihin is one of four Malaysians – the others are Agilan Thani, Gianni Subba and newcomer Mohammed Mahmoud – who will compete at ONE: Destiny of Champions on Dec 7 at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.
Jihin, 20, who hails from Johor Baru, made her ONE debut in March when she defeated India’s Pooja Tomar via a second round submission.
She followed that impressive win by scoring a unanimous victory over Indonesian Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol in July.
It was her third professional victory as she also won her first professional fight by stopping Indonesia’s Masrina Hamka at the Ultimate Beatdown 23 in July 2017.
“Without a doubt this will be my most challenging fight,” said Jihin, who turned 20 on Sept 4.
“I am ready for Jenny even though I know she is a very experienced fighter.
“I know it will not be easy but I am confident after winning my earlier fights.”
Jihin’s first exposure to martial arts was a brief stint training in silat when she was six.
She soon discovered the Ultimate MMA Academy, and after just three months of training, competed in Muay Thai for the first time.
Driven by a hunger to compete, she followed that with bouts in wushu, BJJ, kickboxing, and boxing.
But Huang will be Jihin’s toughest test.
A former atomweight world title challenger Huang took up taekwondo at the age of eight and started training in judo four years later.
She earned her black belt when she was only 16.
Since joining the promotion, Huang has registered many spectacular victories.
This includes a Submission of the Year 2016 victory via gogoplata (a type of chokehold), which earned her a shot at Angela Lee’s world title in 2017.
“I respect her and know I have to be at 100 per cent if I am to get the win,” said Jihin.
“The fight could last the entire three rounds but if given the chance, I hope I can achieve a victory earlier.
“My striking is on point and if I can get a few good hits in, I will try to go for it.”
“I know she is powerful and has fought for the world title before. That is something I want to aim for and to be a champion, I have to face everyone out there.”
Meanwhile, Agilan, who was unbeaten as an amateur, captured a Malaysian national championship before turning professional, winning six bouts in a row to earn a shot at the ONE welterweight world title.
The “Alligator”, however, fell short against the legendary Ben Asken and is now trying to fight his way back into title contention by taking on Kiamrian Abbasov who hails from Kyrgyzstan.
As for Gianni, he spent his childhood growing up in Hawaii and Kuala Lumpur before leaving for Salt Lake City to complete his education.
While in the United States, he learned to wrestle.
In 2010, he moved back to Malaysia to pursue his dreams as a professional mixed martial artist.
Since then, he has defeated several former world title challengers to cement his place at the top of a stacked flyweight division.
He takes on Ma Hao Bin of China next month.
Mohammed “Jordan Boy” will make his ONE Super Series debut after winning multiple titles, including the PLG Tournament Championship and Muay Fight Championship.
He takes on Stergos Mikkios in his debut.
In the main event, Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex of Thailand takes on Luis Regis of Australia.
Yodsanklai won close to 200 professional bouts and has captured three Lumpinee Stadium World Championships, two Lion Fight World Championships, two WMC World Championships, and a WBC World Title.
“Macaco” Regis is one of the most prolific Muay Thai athletes and practitioners from Australia and is also a Muay Thai coach.
Over the course of his professional career, Regis has captured multiple Muay Thai titles including the IKBF Commonwealth Championship, Australian Championship, IKBF East Coast Championship, and the NSW Championship, among others.
