Itsuki Hirata is a Japanese mixed martial artist who competes in ONE Championship’s atomweight division. Known by the nickname “Android 18,” Hirata became one of Japan’s most recognizable young MMA fighters because of her judo background, submission skills and anime-inspired identity.
She first gained attention after dominating the Japanese reality competition Fighting Agent War, where she won all of her bouts by submission before earning a ONE Championship contract
Itsuki Hirata Fighter Snapshot
| Stats | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Itsuki Hirata |
| Nickname | Android 18 |
| Born | August 24, 1999 |
| Birthplace | Adachi, Tokyo, Japan |
| MMA Record | 8-5-0 |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Heritage | Japanese |
| Height | 5’2” (157 cm) |
| Reach | 62.6” (159 cm) |
| Division | Atomweight / Strawweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Team | K-Clann |
| Base Style | Judo |
What Is Itsuki Hirata Known For?
Fans know Itsuki Hirata for her aggressive grappling style, judo foundation and connection to anime culture. Over the years, her nickname “Android 18” became one of the most recognizable nicknames in women’s MMA because fans often compared her appearance to the Dragon Ball character.
However, Hirata’s popularity goes beyond image alone. Inside the cage, she built a reputation for submissions, physical strength and fast transitions on the ground. Early in her career, she won several fights by armbar, Americana and rear-naked choke.
Additionally, Hirata developed a strong fan base in Japan through her social media presence and appearances in ONE Championship.
Itsuki Hirata’s MMA Career
Hirata officially began her MMA journey after graduating from high school. Although she originally dreamed of Olympic success in judo, injuries pushed her toward mixed martial arts instead.
After winning Fighting Agent War in 2018, Hirata signed with ONE Championship and quickly started building momentum. She won her professional debut in 2019 against Angelie Sabanal before later defeating fighters such as Rika Ishige, Nyrene Crowley and Alyse Anderson.
At the same time, Hirata’s career also included difficult stretches. Between 2022 and 2024, she suffered several losses that tested her confidence and forced her to step away from training for a period. Still, she eventually returned and rebuilt momentum with wins over Aarti Khatri and Ritu Phogat in 2025 and 2026.
Itsuki Hirata’s Fighting Style
Hirata built her style around judo and grappling control. She constantly looks for takedowns, scrambles and submission openings once fights hit the mat.
Most importantly, Hirata stays dangerous during transitions. Many of her victories came from quick submissions or dominant grappling sequences that overwhelmed opponents early.
Meanwhile, her striking has steadily improved during her time in ONE Championship. Although grappling remains her biggest strength, Hirata has become more comfortable fighting at range and exchanging on the feet.
Why Itsuki Hirata Stands Out
Itsuki Hirata stands out because she combines traditional martial arts with modern MMA culture.
On one side, she carries a serious judo background and years of disciplined training. On the other, she embraces anime culture, social media and a personality that helped attract younger MMA fans.
Even after difficult setbacks, Hirata remained one of the most recognizable Japanese women in ONE Championship. Because of her age, athleticism and fan support, many still view her as a fighter capable of climbing back into title contention.
