Grand Prix alternate Jenelyn Olsim and her opponent fourth ranked atomweight contender Ritu Phogat.
Ahead of their clash in One Championship this Friday, October 29 in Singapore, #4-ranked atomweight contender Ritu Phogat and her opponent, Grand Prix alternate Jenelyn Olsim promises fight fans of sure fireworks at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Phogat was originally slated to face Itsuki “Android 18” Hirata, but an undisclosed medical issue has forced the unbeaten Japanese judoka to withdraw from the contest.
Olsim, who is currently the #5-ranked women’s strawweight contender, beat Bi “Killer Bee” Nguyen in her atomweight debut this past August replacing Hirata in the tournament semifinals.
The two winners of the tournament semifinal bouts will meet in the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix Championship Final, which goes down later this year.
Phogat said skills wise, she has a huge advantage against Olsim.
“Definitely do not underestimate me. I have the power, I have the strength. Although the matchup with Jenelyn has come at the eleventh hour, I'm confident in my skills, my training, and I know I can take on anyone. It’s not something that shakes me up. I'm untouched by pressure. I don't allow myself to get intimidated by pressure. I know I’m prepared and I follow the course of my game plan,” she said.
Olsim, on the other hand thinks she can counter Phogat’s wrestling skills adding she is in the grand prix to prove she belongs at the top.
“I believe that wrestling is [Ritu’s] biggest asset. I can handle her wrestling, I want to prove I’m not just some alternate. I don’t underestimate Ritu. But I can outstrike her, I also know her biggest strength is wrestling. I’m just not going to let her pin me down,” said Olsim.
The Team Lakay fighter added she is exuding with confidence and has trained with the Asia’s best MMA fighters which is she believes is her advantage.
“First of all, I am very confident in myself. I trust my training, my coaches, my gym. I think I can beat anyone they give me. I accept every fight they give me. I’m very motivated right now. And focused. I want to win. I believe in the saying never leave it to the judges. I will give everything I have, I will do everything to finish her. It’s either submission or knockout,” added Olsim.
In the main event, former ONE Atomweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion and current #3-ranked atomweight contender Stamp Fairtex will take on Grand Prix alternate Julie Mezabarba.
The high-profile tournament headlines ONE: NEXTGEN, which broadcasts live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium this Friday, October 29. SCORE
Comments