Gina Iniong Reveals How She Will Defeat Jihin Radzuan

Gina “Conviction” Iniong’s match-up with Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan is one of the most highly-anticipated contests at ONE: CLASH OF LEGENDS.

The Filipina knows she has a tough test in this pivotal women’s atomweight bout, but she believes she will have the experience advantage when she returns to action in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Team Lakay star will face the undefeated Malaysian contender at the Impact Arena on 16 February.

Jihin has impressed many fans with her performances in ONE Championship to date, and Iniong admits she was suitably impressed by “Shadow Cat’s” last outing.

“What I know of Jihin Radzuan is she is well-rounded,” says Iniong.

“Her ground game is good. I watched her last fight, and I was really amazed with her last performance.”

Iniong adds that she was particularly impressed at Radzuan’s well-rounded skill set for such an inexperienced competitor.

Though the 20-year-old got her first taste of competitive martial arts in the striking realm, she has added a formidable ground game to her repertoire.

“Some athletes are focused on striking only, while others only focus on whatever other aspects they are good at, like their ground game,” explains Iniong.

“But you can see that Jihin’s striking and ground game are both very good.”

It means that Iniong – who has been working her grappling game to bring it up to her level of her wushu striking the athletes at her gym are famous for – knows she may have to match up with her opponent both on the feet and on the ground.

She believes her striking will prove the difference-maker on the night, but she believes she can dominate wherever the contest goes.

“Jihin’s weakness is her striking,” she states.

“My game plan in our bout is, if we end up striking, we will strike with each other. If we end up in the ground, I will also play on the ground.

“I trained very hard for this fight. I really prepared, and I am determined to win.”

Iniong has tested herself against a who’s who of atomweight contenders in The Home Of Martial Arts, and believes that experience against some of the top athletes in the game will give her the edge against her undefeated, but inexperienced opponent.

“My first impression of Jihin is that she is humble and a good sport, but I think she should watch out for me. I think I have the edge in experience.” says the 29-year-old.

“I predict that our match will end in the second round through ground and pound.”

As a member of the acclaimed Team Lakay stable, Iniong has seen a host of her teammates capture world championship gold over the last 12 months, and now she wants a taste of that World Title success for herself.

“I get my strength from seeing my teammates and my seniors with their own belts,” she admitted.

“I am the only one who is yet to have one, so I am really envious!

“They always tell me, ‘You’re the last one. You have a huge chance to get the belt, so don’t waste it.’

“My ultimate goal is to also become a champion and become the pride of Baguio City. We don’t have a female champion yet, particularly in mixed martial arts.”

Victory over rising star Jihin could put “Conviction” one step closer to achieving that goal.