Angelie “D Explorer” Sabanal will be making her ONE Championship return after seven long months when she takes on Itsuki Hirata at ONE: LEGENDARY QUEST this Saturday, 15 June at the Baoshan Arena in Shanghai China.
While Sabanal has already established herself among the huge fanbase of ONE with two noteworthy battles in the past, Hirata is still an enigmatic figure to some.
So who exactly is Hirata? As it turns out, she’s a dangerous foe to handle.
Sabanal admitted that she does not know much about her debuting foe, though she vows to be prepared at whatever the 19-year old Japanese throws at her.
“I don’t know much about her but I know that she’s very dangerous in the ground,” said Sabanal.
“That’s why I’m working on all aspects of my game so I will be ready with whatever she throws at me in our match.”
Hirata for her part is a Judo practitioner who’s been working with former ONE Featherweight World title contender Kazunori Yokota in K-Clann for this ‘bout.
Heading into this contest, Hirata said he vows to be even more rounded.
“Thanks to the boss and head coach at K-Clann, Mr. Yokota, I’ve improved my striking on the feet and on the ground,” she said in an interview with ONEFC.com.
“I have submissions, but I prefer to box and look for the KO.”
But against Sabanal, Hirata admitted that she might play it smart.
Up against a National Muay Thai Silver Medallist, Hirata knows she cannot get too comfortable on the feet against Sabanal.
“I’ve seen her fight clips. She’s obviously a striker. I want to strike, but I also want to take her down and use ground and pound like I have trained. After all, a win is a win, and my debut is important, so I’d be happy with a submission too,” Hirata said.
“If I keep it standing with her, striking is her specialty, so I might take some damage. I have to press the action without backing up. I’m at the gym every day, and this is the most I have ever trained, so I’ll take the win if I do what I have practiced.”
Like Sabanal, Hirata will come in the best shape of her life as she looks to make a rousing debut.
“I want to make my name in ONE and show the world a new breed of Japanese fighter,” she added. “I’m fighting for all the fans. I’m coming out guns blazing, so keep your eyes on me.”
