After 21 months, Gina “Conviction” Iniong finally returns to Manila, Philippines.
Iniong will compete in front of a capacity hometown crowd once more when she battles Asha “Knockout Queen” Roka of India at ONE: FIRE & FURY, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, 31 January.
This will be Iniong’s first appearance in Manila since April 2018 where she took a unanimous decision win over Jenny “Lady GoGo” Huang at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR.
The 30-year-old plans to show how much she missed competing in front of her compatriots.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to compete in my hometown and in front my family and friends. I thank ONE Championship for allowing me again to fight here in Manila. This is big for my confidence,” Iniong shared.
“It’s been awhile since I last fought here but I was just patient cause I know the time will come and here we are. I am really excited.”
Iniong has competed six times since joining the biggest martial arts organization in the world, and she has competed in Manila in half of it.
The 2019 Southeast Asian Games Gold Medallist is yet to taste defeat at the cauldron that is the Mall of Asia Arena.
Iniong made her debut against Natalie Gonzales Hills where she won via unanimous decision at ONE: KINGS OF DESTINY, she then scored her biggest win seven months later with a TKO victory over Priscilla Hertati “Thathie” Lumban Gaol at ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD, with both matches taking place in Manila.
She then took her talents to abroad – losing to Istela Nunes of Brazil at ONE: BATTLE OF THE HEAVENS in China back in July of 2018, before bouncing back strong in her last outing with a split-decision win over Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan at ONE: CLASH OF LEGENDS in Bangkok last February.
With her experience piling up, Iniong promises that she is a much better athlete today than the last time she competed in the country.
“My goal is to be a complete mixed martial artist and I am making sure to train in all aspects of the game. I want to treat my countrymen by putting on a show for them,” Iniong stated.
“At the same time, it’s been nearly a year since I last competed in mixed martial arts and that’s why I want a decisive win. I want to push myself further so I can compete for the belt in the future.”
Having won her last three bouts in Manila, Iniong does not have plans on putting a blemish in that loss.
“It’s a different feeling, both mentally and physically every time I compete here and I don’t plan on losing, not in Manila,” Iniong said.
“They can expect the best Gina Iniong that night.”
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