Jenny “Lady GoGo” Huang of Chinese Taipei is starting to really feel a sense of urgency when it comes to her professional career as a martial artist.
Once a top contender, the Taiwanese atomweight is attempting to catapult herself back into the title picture and is desperately trying to avoid the first three-bout losing skid of her prizefighting stint Huang expects to solve both dilemmas on 20 April when she battles Filipina hard-hitter Gina “Conviction” Iniong on the undercard of ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, which emanates from the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.
“I want to vie for the top prize of ONE Championship’s atomweight division again. In order to achieve that, I need to build a momentum with a huge win,” she said.
Huang made two appearances in the promotion last year, but she failed to have her hand raised in both cage outings.
The 27-year-old Taiwanese standout yielded to Angela Lee for the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship by third-round technical knockout in March 2017 before she suffered another defeat at the hands of Mei Yamaguchi via second-round submission two months later.
“It was frustrating. After winning five-straight matches to start my career, now I’ve lost two consecutive bouts. It’s difficult because I am in a tough position. Another loss is detrimental,” Huang shared.
Although her back is against the wall, Huang pointed out that her string of setbacks spurred a drive to dig deep to ace her next assignment.
“I’ve dealt with my recent setback like a real warrior. My desire is to win again. I will work hard to get the win this coming April 20 in Manila,” she stated.
However, Huang admitted that getting the victory at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR will be arduous as the opposition that stands in front of her on 20 April is no slouch.
A six-time national Wushu champion and a member of the renowned Team Lakay, Iniong owns a professional record of 6-3, with four of her six victories coming by thrilling finish, including two highlight-reel submissions and two knockouts.
After falling short to Yamaguchi in a title eliminator last November, Iniong will look to regain her winning form as she takes on Huang.
“She is a good striker with heavy hands. I fought her teammate, April Osenio, before. Like April, I know she will come out with guns blazing,” Huang explained.
Determined to build upon her judo black belt background and continue her natural evolution as a martial artist, Huang splits her time between Northern China’s Tianjin Top Team and Hiroyuki Abe’s Abe Ani Combat Club in Tokyo Japan.
As she shares the ONE Championship stage with a stand-up specialist like Iniong, Huang bared that she felt the inclination to improve on all facets of the game.
“My fight against Angela Lee showed striking was my weakness. Now, I am facing a great striker in Iniong. I had to improve all of my techniques, on offense and defense. Every time I am training, I need to be preparing, and ready, to be an all-around fighter. Before, my strong point was only grappling. I cannot just focus on one thing,” she clarified.
Putting the dismal 2017 campaign behind her, Huang is determined to show the world just how much she has evolved as a martial artist.
“Gina Iniong is tough as nails. But l will show everyone my new skills in this bout. I am confident that I will win this time around,” she ended.
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