Interest
MMA Fighter Itsuki 'Android 18' Hirata Promotes Upcoming Fight
posted on by Ken Iikura-Gross
In the world of professional prize fighting, some of the top tier athletes get some rather interesting nicknames. Most of the time, this has to do with a trait the prize fighter is known for, but once in a blue moon you'll see one named after a character. One such prize fighter is female MMA fighter Itsuki “Android 18” Hirata.
While it's not confirmed the exact date Hirata received her current nickname, in an X (formerly Twitter) post on February 3, 2020, she included a few pictures of herself dressed as the Dragon Ball Z character, Android 18. In the tweet, Hirata said that she's often told she looks like the character, so she decided to cosplay as her.
よく似てるって言われるんだよね、
— 平田 樹 (@_itsuki_h_) February 3, 2020
だから似てる服着てみた
誰かわかる？#ONEChampionship #Android18 #ドラゴンボール #dragonball pic.twitter.com/dyvRnZKiZL
People say we look alike,
So I tried wearing similar clothes.
Does anyone know who it is?
Neither the late Akira Toriyama or the official X account for Dragon Ball responded to Hirata's tweet. However, the Viz Media X account did respond, "No one will be able to stand against Android 18 in the ring!"
This is so awesome! No one will be able to stand against Android 18 in the ring!
— VIZ (@VIZMedia) February 7, 2020
In early September 2021, Hirata spoke to Asian MMA about her name change. In the article she says, "I changed my nickname because a lot of people say I look like Android 18, a character from Dragon Ball. She is a strong woman in the comic book so I decided to change my nickname."
Prior to using the nickname "Android 18," BJPENN cited Hirata as the “Strong Heart Fighter.” Prior to that nickname, Ameba Times referred to her as Otomeza no Koroshiya (Virgo Assassin). So, Hirata has had a few ring nicknames over the years. However, it appears “Android 18” is sticking with her.
Hirata is set to fight the Brazilian fighter Victória Souza on Friday, June 7 at 8 PM ET in Bangkok, Thailand in the One 167 in an atomweight MMA fight. As of press time, Tapology has Hirata winning the bout at 68% to 32%. The fight is included with Amazon Prime in the United States and Canada and is also available on watch.onefc.com. If you want to see a real-life Android 18 kick some butt, check out Itsuki Hirata.
Sources: Itsuki Hirata's X/Twitter account and Instagram page, Itsuki Hirata's One FC profile, Viz Media's X/Twitter account, Ameba Times, BJPENN, Asian MMA, Tapology
