Ritu Phogat Returns To India Ahead Of Second ONE Bout
On Wednesday, 12 February, Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat was back in her homeland to show some of her new skills ahead of her second mixed martial arts match-up.
The 25-year-old was in New Delhi for the ONE: KING OF THE JUNGLE Open Workout ahead of her return to the Circle on Friday, 28 February, when she will face “Miss Red” Wu Chiao Chen in a women’s atomweight match at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
After the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships gold medalist demonstrated some of the striking she has worked on at Evolve in Singapore, she spoke about her continued development in her new sport.
“I was honored to showcase my skills in front of all these fans and media here in India,” she said.
“My career has been a fantastic one, but when I decided to make the transition to mixed martial arts, I knew the risk and the reward. As an athlete, I am open to meet any challenge head-on. I am motivated to become the best mixed martial artist that I can be.
“Working with elite World Champions at Evolve in Singapore has really cultivated my combat skills and transformed me into a complete fighter. I know I still have a long way to go, but I’m willing to continue to put the work in until I reach my ultimate goal. My dream is to give India its first-ever mixed martial arts World Champion.”
Phogat was also joined by her father, Mahavir Singh Phogat, the iconic wrestling coach who trained his daughter and her sisters to achieve international success and inspired the hit movie Dangal.
Phogat made a successful mixed martial arts debut on the global stage in November when she defeated South Korea’s Nam Hee Kim via first-round TKO.
Her next contest will feature on the lead card when The Home Of Martial Arts returns home to “The Lion City” with a card that will see Stamp Fairtex defend her ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Championship against Janet “JT” Todd and Sam-A Gaiyanghadao face Rocky Ogden for the inaugural ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship.
Read more: Two World Title Bouts Confirmed For ONE: KING OF THE JUNGLE