ONE Championship: Chihiro Sawada targets Denice Zamboanga title shot in Japan after submission win
The Japanese atomweight contender returned to winning ways with a first-round armbar submission of Argentina's Macarena Aragon last Saturday morning at ONE Fight Night 33 in Bangkok.
It marked a strong response from the 27-year-old after her first professional loss – a decision defeat to China's Meng Bo in January – and she now has her eye on gold.
'My intention is the same – to go to that Japan card, ONE 173,' Sawada told the Bangkok Post backstage at Lumpinee Stadium. 'I got the win and I want the chance to fight there too.'
ONE 173 is set for November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. But it remains to be seen whether Sawada will get her wish.
Ayaka Miura, a former ONE strawweight title challenger who dropped to atomweight last year, will compete against Colombian newcomer Juliana Otalora at ONE Friday Fights 116 – and is believed to be in pole position to challenge newly elevated champion Denice Zamboanga in November.
Sawada is currently ranked No 5 in the atomweight MMA division and knows the opportunity may not fall to her just yet.
'If there is no title shot, I want Ham Seo Hee,' she said. 'Or it is going to be Ayaka Miura in Japan.'
Sawada, who trains with AACC in Tokyo, dominated from the opening bell against Aragon – who had failed hydration for the bout – before locking in the armbar.
'Armbar is just one of my plans that I had for Aragon,' she said. 'I also prepared other submission techniques like the leg lock, and I have increased my striking skills also. But this time, the armbar – I made it, I executed, and I'm very happy about that.'
Despite the finish, Sawada missed out on a US$50,000 performance bonus from ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
'I expected the bonus, but maybe this is not the right timing for that – next time,' she said.
Asked whether she was compensated in other ways after Aragon's weigh-in issues, she smiled and replied, 'I can't say anything about this!' – though it is likely she received at least 20 per cent of her opponent's fight purse.
Sawada was quick to thank her supporters after the win, which improved her overall record to 9-1-1, and 4-1 in ONE Championship.
'Thank you very much to everybody that's been supporting me from Japan – and not only from Japan, from my fans around the world,' she said. 'It means a lot to me.
'And not only that – all the athletes that have been training with me, all my trainers, everybody in my gym, and especially my corners that have been helping me. I thank them a lot.'
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Chihiro Sawada has her sights set on a ONE Championship world title shot – and she wants it in her home country. The Japanese atomweight contender returned to winning ways with a first-round armbar submission of Argentina's Macarena Aragon last Saturday morning at ONE Fight Night 33 in Bangkok. It marked a strong response from the 27-year-old after her first professional loss – a decision defeat to China's Meng Bo in January – and she now has her eye on gold. 'My intention is the same – to go to that Japan card, ONE 173,' Sawada told the Bangkok Post backstage at Lumpinee Stadium. 'I got the win and I want the chance to fight there too.' ONE 173 is set for November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. But it remains to be seen whether Sawada will get her wish. Ayaka Miura, a former ONE strawweight title challenger who dropped to atomweight last year, will compete against Colombian newcomer Juliana Otalora at ONE Friday Fights 116 – and is believed to be in pole position to challenge newly elevated champion Denice Zamboanga in November. Sawada is currently ranked No 5 in the atomweight MMA division and knows the opportunity may not fall to her just yet. 'If there is no title shot, I want Ham Seo Hee,' she said. 'Or it is going to be Ayaka Miura in Japan.' Sawada, who trains with AACC in Tokyo, dominated from the opening bell against Aragon – who had failed hydration for the bout – before locking in the armbar. 'Armbar is just one of my plans that I had for Aragon,' she said. 'I also prepared other submission techniques like the leg lock, and I have increased my striking skills also. But this time, the armbar – I made it, I executed, and I'm very happy about that.' Despite the finish, Sawada missed out on a US$50,000 performance bonus from ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. 'I expected the bonus, but maybe this is not the right timing for that – next time,' she said. Asked whether she was compensated in other ways after Aragon's weigh-in issues, she smiled and replied, 'I can't say anything about this!' – though it is likely she received at least 20 per cent of her opponent's fight purse. Sawada was quick to thank her supporters after the win, which improved her overall record to 9-1-1, and 4-1 in ONE Championship. 'Thank you very much to everybody that's been supporting me from Japan – and not only from Japan, from my fans around the world,' she said. 'It means a lot to me. 'And not only that – all the athletes that have been training with me, all my trainers, everybody in my gym, and especially my corners that have been helping me. I thank them a lot.'
