MMA News: Injury Forces Female Team Lakay Standout To Withdraw From ONE: Bad Blood

KEY POINTS

Jenelyn Olsim was forced to pull out of her bout against Jihin Radzuan due to an injury
Olsim is aching to return to MMA action after losing to Ritu Phogat last October
The Team Lakay fighter believes the delay will allow her and Radzuan to prepare better

The much-awaited showdown featuring Team Lakay fighter Jenelyn Olsim of the Philippines and Jihin Radzuan of Malaysia will have to wait.

The Filipina was forced to pull out of their scheduled tiff on the undercard of ONE: Bad Blood in Singapore on February 11 after the 24-year-old reportedly suffered an undisclosed injury during training.

"I was supposed to battle Jihin on three weeks' notice, but due to a bad accidental injury I had in one of our sparring sessions, our medical doctor diagnosed me unfit to continue the fight and told me that I need to physically recover," Olsim said in an official release from ONE Championship.

For Olsim, it was a sad development considering she was looking forward to returning to action.

Jenelyn Olsim of Team Lakay ONE Championship photo

At ONE: NextGen this past October, Olsim faced Ritu Phogat in a ONE Women's Atomweight World Grand Prix semifinals where she lost via unanimous decision.

Before that loss, Olsim had made an impressive run since making the jump to the women's atomweight division. That included a big win over Bi Nguyen at ONE: Battleground III in August 2021.

Despite being frustrated, Olsim vows to come back stronger and added that her sights are solely focused on Radzuan.

"We've been preparing to fight each other for the second time. This hanging match with her is making me more excited to face her for real. I can say that I'm 100% focused and I can't wait to be back to train for her," Olsim stated.

It will be recalled that both female fighters were originally set to clash at ONE: NextGen. It was set as an alternate bout before changes were made–leading to Olsim facing Phogat instead.

Rather than sulk, Olsim believes that the delay will give her and Radzuan more time to prepare for each other and render a better performance for fight fans.

"Jihin is a well-rounded fighter and I am as well, but I'd like to test my ground game against her because she’s really good at the ground," Olsim expressed.

“I'm 100% hungry to return and I want to win again. I will be back in full swing, so wait for me!"

Japanese veteran and former title contender Mei Yamaguchi has agreed to step in on short notice and fight Radzuan at ONE: Bad Blood.