Throughout its history, One Championship has done a lot to promote women in combat sports, and this weekend will be no different when they celebrate International Women’s Day with an all-women’s event at the famed Lumpinee Stadium. One of those set to participate is Chihiro Sawada, the current Shooto Atomweight Champion, who, at 26, is undefeated and widely considered one of Japan’s top prospects. Across the ring from her will be Jihin Radzuan, a veteran with eight fights under the One banner, who has defeated the likes of V.V. Mei and Itsuki Hirata.
Returning to One
When we first spoke to Chihiro back in 2022, roughly a year and a half into her pro career, she told us that when she decided to pursue a career in MMA after wrapping up her decorated wrestling career, she did it with the intent of eventually fighting on the international stage and that she was training with the hope of eventually joining her brother in One. For those that are familiar with her, this will make sense considering the influence he has had on her career, be it from her decision to pick up MMA in the first place, to their similar styles, to their now-similar career paths, with her, like him, having climbed up the ranks in Shooto before moving into the ranks of One Championship. However, unlike him, she will go to One with an undefeated record and as a Shooto Champion. When asked about achieving her goal of joining One’s roster, Chihiro told us that she’s very happy to be competing on her dream stage. She also confirmed that she is now under a multi-fight contract with the promotion.
Joining Team Akatsuki
Not only will this be Chihiro’s first fight as an official member of One’s roster, but this will also be her first fight as a member of Team Akatsuki. For those that are unfamiliar, Team Akatsuki is primarily a kickboxing gym run by Ryotaro, a former Knock Out and Rebels champion. In the past, fighters like Panchan Rina, Igor Tanabe, Takakenshin, and Jinnosuke Kashimura have all trained there. Chihiro originally went there to work on her striking, something she considers to be one of her weaknesses, but she has now made it her new home, training under the close supervision of Ryotaro and Koyomi Matsushima. Outside of Team Akatsuki, she also goes to other gyms like Imanari Jiu Jitsu and Master Japan, where some of Japan’s top women gather on weekends to spar. In preparation for this weekend, Chihiro tells us that she probably sparred the most with Machi, who at Strawweight, seems like a wise choice to emulate her upcoming opponent.
Facing a veteran
When Chihiro steps into the ring at Lumpinee this weekend, she will face her toughest challenge to date in Jihin Radzuan, a veteran who’s been in One since 2018. Not only is she a veteran, but she’s faced some of the toughest women on One’s roster, including the current champion Stamp as well as her next challenger Denice Zamboanga. Experience aside, Jihin will also likely be Chihiro’s biggest opponent to date, since under One’s unique ruleset, Atomweight goes up to 115lbs. Not only does it have a higher limit, but Jihin has struggled to make it, having missed weight 3 times and having had to compete at catchweight instead.
On Jihin, Chihiro said “It’s an honor to have my first fight as an official One fighter be against such an experienced veteran like Jihin. I think it’ll be a difficult challenge, but I’ve prepared myself for it mentally and I’m ready to go test myself in One Championship.” She also added, “I knew that if I were to fight in One, I’d be facing opponents that are bigger than me, but it was my choice to fight here, so to not lose because of my physique, I’ve been working on building up my body as well as improving my strengths as a fighter. I’ve been training hard so that I can go forward and fight with confidence.”
What to expect
Going into this weekend, Chihiro told us that she wants to show the fans an aggressive fight, with her attacking from the onset and never taking her foot off the gas. Well, if her last fight is any indication, this is exactly what the fans should expect. In what can be called a flawless victory, Chihiro is coming off a 1st round submission win over the always-game Miku Nakamura, where she repeatedly took her down and landed ground-and-pound, while constantly looking to advance before ultimately forcing Miku’s corner to throw in the towel with 3 seconds left in the round.
How to Watch
Friday March 8th, 8PM ET US/ Saturday March 9th, 9AM SGT Asia
- U.S. = Amazon Prime
- Japan = U-Next
- Other Countries
Full Card
- Janet Todd vs Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom (Kick)*
- Allycia Rodriguez vs Cristina Morales (Muay Thai)*
- Jackie Buntan vs Martine Michieletto (Muay Thai)
- Jihin Radzuan vs Chihiro Sawada
- Ekaterina Vandaryeva vs Martyna Kierczynska (Muay Thai)
- Lara Fernandez vs Yu Yau Pui (Muay Thai)
- Victoria Souza vs Noelee Grandjean
- Mayssa Bastos vs Kanae Yamada (Grappling)
- Shir Cohen vs Teodora Kirilova (Muay Thai)
* Title fight
Japanese 
English