Eh looking to bounce back in China bout
CAMBODIAN mixed martial artist Eh Ya Nut is looking forward to bouncing back from a disappointing debut nearly two years ago as she makes her second appearance inside the ONE Championship cage.
Eh seeks vindication when she faces Chinese female boxing star Xu Chun Yan on the undercard of ONE Championship: Shanghai, which takes place at the 15,000-capacity Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai, China, on Saturday.
“This is a huge organisation with a lot of very good competitors from all over the world. I want to make my mark – this is my time to shine,” she said.
Eh Ya Nut was born and raised in Phnom Penh and comes from a family filled with several generations of martial artists.
Her father Eh Phouthong is a legend in the Cambodian martial art of kun Khmer and was coach oach of Cambodia’s successful SEA Games kickboxing team. As a result, Ehh grew up in the gym and began training ining at a very young age.
After over 100 bouts outs in kun Khmer, she hopes s to carve a niche for herself in ONE Championship and make e her country and family proud. ud.
The 19-year-old Cambodian striker made de her promotional debutut in December 2015 at ONE: Kingdom of Khmer er in Phnom Penh, losingng a close split decision n to compatriot Vy Srey rey Khouch.
Eh hopes to reinsert ert her name into the he winner’s column as she shares the ONE Championshipp p cage with a former WBC International f female featherweight champion like X Xu. “I’ve trainedtrai as hard as ever. I have continuedcon to improve my game. I’veI’v also worked on my ground skills,s both offensively and defensively.defen I’m very excited to test theseth inside the cage,” she said. ““A loss can make you or break you. The loss made me a determinedd athlete, one w willing to learn more a aspects of the game in o order to become the b best martial artist.” A lt hough Eh wil l be f i ig ht i ng i n Xu’s back ya rd for her comeback bo bout, t he Ca mbodia n co combatant assures that sh she is in no way intimi- dated w it h her opponent’s home advantage.
According to Eh, it is her opportunity to prove her worth as an indomitable athlete in the constantly growing combat sport.
“I am not bothered whatsoever fighting in Shanghai against a hometown favourite like my opponent. It’s a tough task, but I have to step up and prove that I am a true warrior. When the cage door closes, it’s an even playing field,” she said.
With her new-found desire to compete at t he highest level in her professiona l career, Eh promised t hat she wi l l not let dow n t he people who believe in her.
“I am extremely excited and motivated for this bout because I want to win,” she said. “I will make sure that my team and I will not go home disappointed.”