“He’s been winning a lot” – Isi Fitikefu accepts underdog role against Hiroyuki Tetsuka at ONE 168

31-year-old Australian-Tongan rising star ‘Doxz’ Isi Fitikefu knows he’s coming into his upcoming welterweight showdown with ‘Japanese Beast’ Hiroyuki Tetsuka the sizeable underdog.

Fitikefu is coming off an impressive first-round submission victory over Valmir Da Silva. Against Tetsuka, however, the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Smeaton Grange representative will certainly have his hands full.

Speaking to ONE Championship in a recent interview, Fitikefu said he is pumped to be able to face a guy like the ‘Japanese Beast’ and is up for the challenge.

‘Doxz’ said:

“I’ve been watching [Tetsuka]. He’s been winning a lot. Seeing someone fight like that motivates me because I’m an underdog. I like this matchup. It’s challenging. I get to test myself against the best, so I’m just keen to get in there. Even though I haven’t been active since last April due to a few injuries, I’ve been working hard, leveling up my skills and everything.”

‘Doxz’ Isi Fitikefu is set to take on ‘Japanese Beast’ Hiroyuki Tetsuka in a three-round welterweight MMA contest. The two lock horns at ONE 168: Denver, which broadcasts live from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Friday, Sept. 6.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free on Amazon Prime Video. Tickets are still available in limited capacity on Ticketmaster.

Isi Fitikefu eyeing two big names if he gets past Hiroyuki Tetsuka: “There’s a lot of guys I’ve got my eye on”

Isi Fitikefu is confident he will get the job done against ‘Japanese Beast’ Hiroyuki Tetsuka at ONE 168: Denver. And after he gets his hands raised in victory, the Australian-Tongan warrior says he wants all the smoke.

Fitikefu told ONE he wants the two best guys in the division. He said:

“I’ve got my eye on Christian Lee, but there’s a lot of guys I’ve got my eye on. The other guy that excites me a lot is Roberto Soldic. He fought Zebaztian Kadestam on the last Denver card. Both of them. Those two fights excite me a lot.”

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding ONE 168: Denver as it happens.