Prepare to behold the electrifying performances and unstoppable spirit of Itsuki Hirata, a rising star in the world of MMA!
Hailing from Adachi, Tokyo, Japan, Hirata has captured the attention of fight fans worldwide with her explosive finishes and impressive skills inside the cage.
Born on August 24th, 1999, making her 23 years-old now, Hirata began her MMA journey at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most promising fighters in the women’s atomweight division.
Standing at just 5’2” tall and fighting in the atomweight division, Hirata possesses a diverse skill set, including a background in judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and striking disciplines. Her well-rounded abilities have made her a formidable force in the sport, and she continues to amaze audiences with her thrilling performances.
Throughout her MMA career, which began in 2019, Hirata has amassed an impressive record of 6 wins and 2 losses. The majority of her victories have come by way of spectacular finishes, showcasing her tenacity and killer instinct.
Known for her nickname “Android 18” and formerly known as “Otomeza no Koroshiya” (The Virgo Assassin) and “Strong Heart Fighter,” Hirata fights out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team in New York, USA, under the tutelage of renowned coaches.
Her potential and dedication have garnered praise from fans and fellow fighters alike, making her a rising star in the MMA world.
Hirata, with her vibrant personality and impressive grappling and striking skills, appears destined for the top at ONE Championship. However, the reality of her journey has been far from easy.
Enduring both triumph and defeat, each challenge has fuelled her determination and resilience, shaping her into a fighter who embraces growth and continuous improvement.
Hirata’s losses have served as valuable lessons, propelling her forward as she hones her craft under the guidance of experienced coaches.
With unwavering passion and an unyielding spirit, she remains a formidable force in the atomweight division, determined to conquer the challenges that lie ahead.
In this article, we delve into Itsuki Hirata’s exceptional skills that leave fans in awe, so let’s explore the bouts that have solidified her reputation as a potential future legend in the making with Itsuki Hirata’s Top 3 MMA Finishes! (in descending order)
3. Vs. Nyrene Crowley – ONE: Warrior’s Code (Feb. 7, 2020)
The fight commences with both fighters displaying calculated strikes, as Crowley showcases her tenacity and lightning speed.
At 3:40 on the clock, she impressively counters a Hirata takedown attempt and lands a powerful knee before releasing her opponent.
Hirata’s start is not as strong, and there’s a hint of impatience from Android 19. Nevertheless, she remains composed, using her kicks to maintain distance.
As the action intensifies, Crowley executes a solid combo at 2:46 and continues with her relentless attacks. Hirata secures a takedown shortly after, but Crowley doesn’t back down and manages to regain control.
In a fast-paced exchange, Hirata manoeuvres expertly, taking advantage of opportunities for judo takedowns and ground control. The fight so far is an exciting spectacle of non-stop action.
Entering the second round, Crowley counters Hirata’s low kick with a powerful strike and initiates a grappling exchange. Hirata seizes the opportunity and executes a beautiful throw, bringing the fight to the ground.
While attempting a kimura submission, Hirata showcases her ground-and-pound skills, keeping Crowley under pressure. Although Crowley shows resilience and escapes certain problems, Hirata maintains control with a loose triangle hold.
Round three commences with a visibly fatigued Crowley attempting a double-leg takedown with 4:20 on the clock. Despite Crowley’s efforts, Hirata effectively controls her grappling and attempts to secure a kimura submission.
In an impressive display of technique, Hirata executes a well-timed trip, and the action returns to the ground. Seizing her chance, Hirata moved swiftly into a rear-naked choke position, swivelling round and delivering a decisive TKO finish at 3:27 of round three.
The victory is nothing short of remarkable for the 20 year-old, and to top it off, the audience is treated to a fun celebratory dance from Hirata at the end. Her performance exemplifies her exceptional skill set and massive potential in the sport.
2. Vs. Angelie Sabanal – ONE: Legendary Quest (June 15, 2019)
Hirata, famously known as the ‘Strong Heart Fighter,’ truly lives up to her nickname. Here, she demonstrates her prowess by strategically gauging the distance with well-executed low kicks and swiftly closing in on her opponent, Sabanal.
With precision, Hirata lands a beautiful right hand at 4:02 on the clock, showcasing her incredible speed and accuracy in the striking department.
At 2:33, Hirata goes for a series of body shots and seamlessly transitions into a takedown, almost sending both fighters tumbling out of the ring.
The referee intervenes, resetting them to continue the action, but this time at the centre of the ring. As the seconds tick away, it becomes evident that Sabanal is in trouble.
Hirata exhibits her technical brilliance, securing an arm in the kimura position, and setting the stage for the beginning of the end for Sabanal.
With flawless execution, she expertly locks in an Americana submission at 2:59 of round 1, securing a dominant victory. This performance spotlights Hirata’s exceptional skills and leaves no doubt about her capabilities and potential inside the cage.
1. Vs. Rika Ishige – ONE: Century (Oct. 13, 2019)
In one of the most unforgettable moments of her young career, Hirata faced off against Rika Ishige, a popular and experienced fighter known for her exciting fights. The matchup between these two rising stars had fans eagerly anticipating the clash.
The fight commences with mutual respect, but at 4:38 on the clock, Hirata seizes the opportunity to grapple with Ishige and lands a powerful right hand, sending her to the ground.
Maintaining top mount position, Hirata launches a relentless assault, though Ishige attempts to create distance with her hips and legs.
Despite Ishige’s near-armbar, Hirata remained composed, maintaining control and transitioning to a north-south position and then a bear hold on the ground.
Hirata’s dominant control frustrates Ishige as she lands punches from full mount, showcasing her superior technique. With 2:00 minutes remaining, a series of hammer fists further disorient Ishige, while Hirata demonstrates her solid base and pressure. However, using the underhook, Ishige sweeps Hirata onto her back against the cage, to end the round.
Round 2 commences with Ishige and Hirata showing respect by exchanging a high five. Initially, Ishige appears more comfortable standing, but her comfort is short-lived. At 4:18 on the clock, Hirata capitalizes on a mid-kick, countering with a straight punch and initiating combinations that eventually lead to a takedown.
Hirata skilfully isolates Ishige’s arm, nearly securing a kimura, but transitions to her opponent’s back, where she lands knees. Hirata manages to spin out, and Ishige utilizes upkicks to create distance, prompting a reset to their feet by the referee.
At 1:54, Hirata delivers a powerful right hand, dropping Ishige and following up on the ground against the cage.
Although Hirata controls Ishige’s arms and attempts to ground and pound, she almost secures the kimura again but slips out. Employing the cage to her advantage, Hirata strives to isolate Ishige’s arm and achieve a scarf hold, but Ishige turns over, executing a brilliant sweep and securing an armbar at 4:41 of round 2.
These three finishes represent only a glimpse of Itsuki Hirata’s talents and potential future in the sport. With her explosive performances and continuous evolution as a fighter, there’s no doubt that she’ll continue to captivate fans and climb the ranks in the world of women’s MMA. Even with a couple of unfortunate losses on her record, Hirata is likely to return with a point to prove!
