ONE: Empower full card reveal (Ritu Phogat back in Grand Prix)

Some further reshuffling of the Atomweight Grand Prix has taken place in the ONE: Empower full card reveal.

ONE Championship has brought on additions to the tournament field. Also, there are now specific alternate bouts for the Grand Prix on September 3rd.

This all-women’s martial arts event is headlined by the reigning ONE Women’s Strawweight World Champion Xiong Jing Nan defending the divisional belt against the #2-ranked strawweight Michelle Nicolini.

All four quarterfinal matchups for the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix are outlined and the lead card was filled out as well.

ONE Atomweight Grand Prix

Denice Zamboanga (#1-ranked ONE atomweight) clashes with Seo Hee Ham (#5-ranked ONE atomweight) as Ham makes her ONE Championship debut with many already regarding her as the world’s best atomweight.

Meng Bo (#2-ranked ONE atomweight) tests skills against Ritu Phogat, who is re-integrated in the World Grand Prix following her last victory against Lin Heqin.

Stamp Fairtex (#4-ranked ONE atomweight) and Alyona Rassohyna (#3-ranked ONE atomweight) run it back in a rematch from their February bout.

Unbeaten judo player Itsuki Hirata collides with Alyse Anderson as Anderson enters the ONE Circle as a promotional debutant.

Alyse Anderson is looking for the FINISH! 😤 Will “Lil’ Savage” STOP Itsuki Hirata on 3 September at ONE: EMPOWER? #ONEEmpower #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship pic.twitter.com/v8ZdCL5wpl

— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) August 15, 2021

While this historic card does feature great MMA action, ONE: Empower is also highlighted by intriguing ONE Super Series bouts. Kickboxing star Anissa Meksen will make her long-awaited first fighting foray under the ONE banner opposite Cristina Morales.

In the featured lead card bout, Jackie Buntan returns to action and will welcome Daniela Lopez to ONE Super Series Muay Thai competition.

For the World Grand Prix alternate bouts, former ONE Women’s Atomweight World Title challenger Mei Yamaguchi clashes with Julie Mezabarba revealing Mesabrba has been phased out of her spot in the official brackets.

Also, Grace Cleveland battles the victor of Bi Nguyen vs. Jenelyn Olsim. The winner will be revealed via the tape-delayed ONE: Battleground III event which broadcasts on August 27th.

ONE: Empower full card

ONE Women’s Strawweight World Championship (C) Xiong Jing Nan vs. (2) Michelle Nicolini Strawweight: 52.3 KG–56.7 KG

Mixed Martial Arts – Atomweight World Grand Prix (1) Denice Zamboanga vs. Seo Hee Ham Atomweight: 47.7 KG–52.2 KG

MMA – Atomweight World Grand Prix (4) Stamp Fairtex vs. (3) Alyona Rassohyna Atomweight: 47.7 KG–52.2 KG

Mixed Martial Arts – Atomweight World Grand Prix (2) Meng Bo vs. Ritu Phogat Atomweight: 47.7 KG–52.2 KG

Mixed Martial Arts – Atomweight World Grand Prix Itsuki Hirata vs. Alyse Anderson Atomweight: 47.7 KG–52.2 KG

Kickboxing Anissa Meksen vs. Cristina Morales Atomweight: 47.7 KG–52.2 KG

LEAD CARD

Muay Thai Jackie Buntan vs. Daniela Lopez Strawweight: 52.3 KG–56.7 KG

Mixed Martial Arts – Atomweight World Grand Prix Alternate Mei Yamaguchi vs. Julie Mezabarba Atomweight: 47.7 KG–52.2 KG

Mixed Martial Arts – Atomweight World Grand Prix Alternate Bi Nguyen/Jenelyn Olsim vs. Grace Cleveland Atomweight: 47.7 KG–52.2 KG

Dylan Bowker

I've been enamored with combat sports for as long as I can remember. I've hosted MMA talk shows Lights Out and Pure Fight Radio with featured guests like Jens Pulver, Roy Nelson, Miesha Tate, Mark Coleman, and more. I've been an MMA broadcaster for XFFC as well as BTC and have done play by play commentary on live pay per view on GFL as well as FITE TV. I've provided written, audio, and video content covering some of the biggest MMA promotions like Rumble in the Cage, Unified MMA, and King of the Cage. I've worked as a sports entertainment personality for over five years and given play-by-play or featured promotions of KSW, ONE Championship, TKO, and Invicta FC. My work can be found in the USA Today Sports affiliate MMA Torch, Cageside Press, MMA Sucka, and Liberty Multimedia.

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