Malaysian flyweight ready for fiery debut here

Malaysian flyweight ready for fiery debut here

Ann "Athena" Osman is expecting a rough ride when her dream finally comes true.

After all, the Malaysian flyweight is hoping to beat Singapore's Sherilyn Lim on ONE Fighting Championship's mixed martial arts (MMA) show at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Oct 18.

"I'm not expecting a great reception when I walk out, because I know that most of the people there will be rooting for my opponent," said the 27-year-old from Sabah.

"I won't let it affect me. My family and friends will be there and that is all that matters to me.

"I am proud to represent Malaysia and I am looking to show everyone what I can do."

Like Lim, this will be Osman's first professional fight and it will take place in front of an expected crowd of around 10,000 fans.

The Borneo Tribal Squad gym member, who works in real estate as a day job, has had several amateur MMA and Muay Thai contests and is looking forward to making the step into the paid ranks.

"I started training for fitness and it just went from there," explained Osman.

"I was offered this fight and jumped at the opportunity.

"It's a big show and ONE FC is the best MMA organisation in Asia, so this is a like a dream to me."

Although excited by the prospect of her new adventure, the kayaking and whitewater rafting enthusiast said she is not overly concerned by Lim, who trains at the Fight G club on North Canal Road.

"I am not focused on her," said Osman.

"I'm just training hard and making sure I am in the best possible shape to win this fight."

The Oct 18 show is headlined by a bantamweight title clash between Korea's Kim Soo Chul and Bibiano Fernandes, with Hong Kong lightweight Eddie Ng taking on Malaysia's Peter Davis in the main support bout.

Osman's fight with Lim will be the second female fight on a ONE FC show, after Singaporean accountant Nicole Chua stopped India's Jeet Toshi in one round in March of last year.

jturner@sph.com.sg


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