Ritu Phogat has a battle in her palms on Friday. The wrestler-turned-MMA (blended martial arts) fighter will tackle Thai striker Stamp Fairtex within the last of the ONE Atomweight Grand Prix match. The winner of the competitors receives a title shot on the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Those are quick bets, however there’s much more on the road. A defeat right here – Ritu’s second loss in 5 fights – takes away the sheen of the nice Indian mission of ONE Championship. A win, nonetheless, not solely books the conflict in opposition to dominant, common champion Angela Lee, however does so at the very best time.
Ritu Phogat. (Source: One Championship)
In early 2019, Ritu, a two-time junior world silver medalist in wrestling, traded the mat for Cage and relocated to Singapore. “I want to be the first Indian world champion in MMA,” she had introduced. The pandemic, and a loss at an occasion referred to as ‘ONE Championship: Dangal’ earlier this 12 months hampered the marketing campaign. But the 27-year-old has made a comeback with three resounding victories, and the MMA world is taking discover.
In November, megastar Conor McGregor – with a damaged leg – explored India and the 1.3 billion-strong potential shopper base for his whiskey model. Sandwiched between references to yoga, chess, the Golden Temple and India’s ‘National Drink Whiskey’, the Irishman retweeted the information of Ritu’s newest win with the caption: “Roots to make a ticket for Indians soon in this game “
“You can’t talk about MMA without mentioning Conor McGregor,” says Ritu when requested concerning the shoutout. “He’s lost a few fights, but you have to wear your necklace with pride in MMA. He’s sure to make a successful comeback.”
But Ritu McGregor’s nemesis stays a fan of Khabib Nurmagomedov: the wrestling virtuoso from Dagestan, Russia, who strangled and crushed opponents in submissions and main victories. Ritu’s fashion can also be related. She has managed to transform her wrestling pedigree to MMA, leaving opponents dry and harm with a number of takedowns.
key to win
Their match-up on Friday is paying homage to the early days of the sport, the place practitioners of assorted martial arts engaged in ‘what if’ competitions. Fairtex, 24, is striker supreme, with practically 100 kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA fights beneath his belt.
The ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix Champion will probably be topped this Friday! who would that be? I @PhogatRitu #we’re one #ONEChampionship#ONEWinterWarriors , December 3 | find out how to see: https://t.co/YlCCWjOPa1 pic.twitter.com/cdBZ2ksQVd
– ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) 2 December 2021
The data are the identical at 7-1. Five of Fairtex’s seven wins have come by means of knockouts and submissions. Ritu has three ground-and-pound stoppages to her title. For Fairtex, it’s about retaining distance and hitting Ritu from outdoors. Meanwhile the Indian has to go inside and take down the fighter.
“If the fight goes to the ground, I have to find a way to get back to my game,” Fairtex not too long ago mentioned throughout an interview with ONE commentator Michael Schiavello. “I will not play her recreation. I believe if she tries to face up and battle with me, she’ll be out.
Ritu isn’t free but. A fierce, robust competitor since her wrestling days, Ritu has usually tried to face her floor and commerce strikes, and has been punched within the face for her efforts. On the bottom, he’s put in a harmful place, with opponents watching to bend his limbs or take him out. But what it lacks in crafty, it makes up for it from the center.
Ritu’s coach at Evolve, Siyar Bahadurzada, advised The Indian Express, “Ritu is a warrior and has many strengths.” “Her wrestling, work ethic, and what’s above all is her mental toughness.”
“Every fight has been tough, but that’s the big challenge I love,” says Ritu. “The final 2-3 matches have been particularly robust in opposition to very skilled opponents. But when somebody punches me, it excites me much more, and extra aggressively. I’ve discovered many issues. It’s time not to surrender throughout these troublesome moments within the battle. ,
Ritu Phogat defeated Nam Hee Kim of South Korea. (Source: One Championship)
He spent his lockdown binge-watching and getting impressed by the ‘Never Back Down’ MMA film franchise. But the mantra was established beneath the patronage of father Mahavir Phogat.
“He’s learning a lot about the game. Even now, he keeps saying, ‘I hope you’re giving your 100 percent.’ Don’t work too hard,” she laughs. “He is in India but still keeps track of my training and how much work I am doing. That inspires me a lot.”
During her pre-fight pressers, Ritu talks concerning the want for presidency recognition and awards for MMA fighters, and the roadmap for future contestants from India and paving the way in which for them.
A win on Friday would give critical weight to these calls.
LIVE: Ritu Phogat vs Stamp Fairtex on Hotstar from 5 PM IST
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
