ONE Atom-weight Grand Prix Semifinal - Predictions
Moving into the semifinals, Stamp Fairtex faces off against the substitute Julie Mezabarba, who had won her Atom-weight Grand Prix alternate bout against Mei Yamaguchi. She is filling in for Seo Hee Ham, who had to pull out on account of her injuries from the quarterfinal.
Alternately, Ritu Phogat is pitted against the second substitute Jenelyn Olsim, a stand in for Itsuki Hirata who had to pull out due to a high fever.
Stamp Fairtex vs. Julie Mezabarba:
Stamp Fairtex has the most decorated ONE career out of the Grand Prix fighters. Having been both ONE Kickboxing and ONE Muay Thai Champion, she holds striking expertise to have conquered both titles, and in this sense she clearly stands above the rest of the competitors.
Considering her performance against Alyona Rassohyna in the Quarterfinal, Stamp's grappling has certainly improved. However she would struggle against fighters such as Ritu Phogat, who specialise in grappling.
Julie Mezabarba is a fitting fighter for Stamp. In her Grand Prix alternate bout, she showcased strong striking and movement, and fought off Mei Yamaguchi's takedown attempts. Utilising proper counters and movement, she can try to stand against Stamp's striking, however Stamp's experience in high level Muay Thai and Kickboxing will pose a significant threat to the Brazilian.
Ritu Phogat vs. Jenelyn Olsim
Ritu Phogat stands out in the Atom-weight Grand Prix as she is a pure wrestler. Coming from the decorated Phogat family – a prolific Indian wrestling family – Ritu and her sisters are all Commonwealth Games Gold medalists. Her strengths lay in her wrestling, with strong strikes on the ground, as well as the potential to come out of a difficult situation for a late victory.
Naturally, with her being a wrestler, her weakness lays in strikers. However, she more than proved herself against Meng Bo, who is known for her striking and pressure. Ritu pulled through against all odds, having almost been knocked-out in the beginning of her match.
Jenelyn Olsim is the lowest ranked worldwide female fighter in this Grand Prix, with her most notable victory being against Bi Nguyen, who Ritu Phogat had lost against. The majority of her victories are by decision, with two submissions. Olsim is a proficient wrestler, lasting three rounds against Nguyen and edging out a victory by decision.
She is a good match for Ritu, with two strong grapplers going against each other. Olsim should focus on a mix of striking and ground work, making sure Ritu doesn't get the upper hand, as we have seen in the Meng Bo bout where Ritu rained down hammer fists once she got the upper hand.
ONE Atom-weight Grand Prix - Predictions
Stamp Fairtex vs. Julie Mezabarba
Stamp Fairtex via Decision.
Ritu Phogat vs. Jenelyn Olsim
Ritu Phogat via Decision.
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