Here’s Gina Iniong’s Path To Becoming The First Filipina World Champion
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Gina “Conviction” Iniong is back on track in the ONE Championship women’s atomweight division following a stellar performance over Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan at ONE: Clash of Legends this past Saturday, 16 February.
The 29-year-old warrior showcased the whole package as she overwhelmed the Malaysian rising star to claim a well-earned decision victory in the promotion’s first event in Bangkok, Thailand this year.
That performance sparked talks of Iniong becoming the first-ever mixed martial arts Women’s World Champion from the Philippines.
“That bout taught me to never lose confidence in yourself,” Iniong recalled as she held off a late uprising from Jihin in the third round.
“It showed exactly what I am capable of as a fighter. I can’t wait for my next challenge.”
Those challenges will definitely come soon as a lot of athletes are making their case to take a shot at the current ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee, including Indian warrior Puja Tomar.
Tomar also had her fair share of struggles inside the cage, but she got a huge win in her last bout when she outpointed Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol last January.
With both competitors looking good in their most recent bouts, a match between the two would be logical in trying to figure out who the next challenger should be in the weight class.
If that doesn’t materialize, then “Conviction” could set her sights on old tormentors just like what ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang previously suggested.
Iniong dropped decision losses to Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi and Istela Nunes, derailing her once healthy bid for a World Title.
“She may very well have to fight Mei Yamaguchi and Istela Nunes again to prove her worth,” said Folayang, who was delighted to see a ‘statement’ win by his stablemate at the Impact Arena last Saturday.
A win against any of those could finally push Iniong to World Title contention against Lee, talks that were already starting to get traction when the Filipina came away with two impressive wins to start her career in ONE.
“I’m just ready,” she said. “I am already looking forward for my next challenge.”
