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    Chihiro Sawada challenges fellow Japanese star Ayaka Miura to a showdown in Tokyo

    Gossip
    Runfyers
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    Former Shooto Champion Chihiro Sawada of Japan knows her path to the atomweight MMA world title will eventually lead her to a meeting with Ayaka ‘Zombie’ Miura.

    The 28-year-old grappling specialist scored a massive victory at ONE Fight Night 39 on Jan. 23, where she snapped Natalie Salcedo’s undefeated record inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

    After improving to 11-1, Sawada now shifts her crosshairs to her fellow Japanese star, who has emerged as one of the top contenders in the women’s 115-pound ranks.

    ‘Zombie’ has been on a tear since dropping to atomweight, with four of her last five victories coming by way of gut-wrenching submissions.

    Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more

    If an all-Japan showdown against Miura materializes, Sawada says it should aptly take place in the promotion’s return to Tokyo on April 29.

    The IDEA Asakusa and Team Akatsuki athlete said through a translator in her post-event interview with ONE:

    “She thinks that if it’s in the Tokyo event, where Japanese fighters face Japanese fighters, it would draw a lot of attention from Japanese people, and if they work hard on the marketing, it would even pull more attention. So she believed that it’s around 60 to 70 percent. That’s the potential that Chihiro will get to fight with Ayaka. And she wants you guys to push this match up.”

    Chihiro Sawada doesn’t mind a title eliminator for her next match

    With ONE atomweight MMA queen Denice Zamboanga still recovering from illness, Chihiro Sawada understands that a title shot might not be up next for her.

    Still, the Japanese superstar knows she paid her dues and hopes to get another high-profile opponent to continue proving her worth.

    She told The Bangkok Post’s Nick Atkin through a translator:

    “I don’t want to be selfish. So, I’m going to leave this to Mr. Chatri [Sityodtong]. But, to be honest, I want the title shot. But if I need to be tested, I’ll get over it and climb to the title shot.”

    Catch the ONE Fight Night 39 replay on demand via Prime Video for subscribers in the United States and Canada.