Jenny “Lady GoGo” Huang of Chinese Taipei is starting to feel a sense of urgency when it comes to her professional career as a martial artist.
Once a top contender, the Taiwanese atomweight is attempting to catapult herself back into the title picture and is desperately trying to avoid the first three-bout losing skid of her prizefighting stint.
Huang expects to solve both dilemmas on Friday, April 20, when she battles Filipina hard-hitter Gina “Conviction” Iniong on the undercard of ONE: Heroes of Honor, which is set to take place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.
“I want to vie for the top prize of ONE Championship’s atomweight division again.
“In order to achieve that, I need to build a momentum with a huge win,” she said.
Huang made two appearances in the promotion last year, but she failed to have her hand raised in both cage outings.
The 27-year-old Taiwanese standout yielded to Angela Lee for the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship by third-round technical knockout in March 2017, before she suffered another defeat at the hands of Mei Yamaguchi via second-round submission two months later.
“It was frustrating.
“After winning five straight matches to start my career, now I’ve lost two consecutive bouts. It’s difficult because I am in a tough position. Another loss is detrimental,” Huang shared.
Although her back is against the wall, Huang pointed out that her string of setbacks has spurred a drive to dig deep and ace her next assignment.
“I’ve dealt with my recent setback like a real warrior. My desire is to win again. I will work hard to get the win this coming April 20 in Manila,” she stated.
However, Huang admitted that getting the victory at Heroes of Honor will be arduous, as the opposition that stands in front of her on Friday, April 20, is no slouch.
A six-time national Wushu champion and a member of the renowned Team Lakay, Iniong owns a professional record of 6-3, with four of her six victories coming by thrilling finish, including two highlight-reel submissions and two knockouts.
After falling short to Yamaguchi in a title eliminator last November, Iniong will look to regain her winning form as she takes on Huang.
“She is a good striker with heavy hands. I fought her teammate, April Osenio, before. Like April, I know she will come out with guns blazing,” Huang explained.
Determined to build on her judo black belt background and continue her natural evolution as a martial artist, Huang splits her time between Northern China’s Tianjin Top Team and Hiroyuki Abe’s Abe Ani Combat Club in Tokyo, Japan.
As she shares the ONE Championship stage with a stand-up specialist like Iniong, Huang bared that she had felt the inclination to improve on all facets of the game.
“My fight against Angela Lee showed striking was my weakness. Now, I am facing a great striker in Iniong. I had to improve all of my techniques, on offense and defense. Every time I am training, I need to be preparing, and ready, to be an all-around fighter. Before, my strong point was only grappling,” she clarified.
“I cannot just focus on one thing.”
Putting the dismal 2017 campaign behind her, Huang is determined to show the world just how much she has evolved as a martial artist.
“Gina Iniong is tough as nails. But l will show everyone my new skills in this bout,” she shared.
“I am confident that I will win this time around.”
