Ana Julaton gets first big test against Russian

MANILA, Philippines — After an impressive debut in the One Fighting Championship, Filipino female fighter Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton next faces a more ferocious foe.

The two-time world boxing champion will face Irina Mazepa of Russia in the One FC: Reign of Champions on Aug. 29 at Dubai World Trade Center.

A decorated kickboxer and wushu specialist, Mazepa is a six-time wushu world champion and a former K-1 World champion.

After winning all available international titles and medals in both combat disciplines, Mazepa shifted her interest to mixed martial arts at the age of 25 and added muay and boxing in her weaponry.

Julaton, the first Filipino boxer to win the women’s WBO super bantamweight and IBA super bantamweight world championships, is expected to have her hands full against Mazepa, who will enter octagon the prohibitive favorite to prevail.

A fan favorite in the Philippines for her overpowering attacks, Julaton fought only seven professional bouts to win a championship in boxing, a feat which the California-based fighter hopes to duplicate in her MMA career.

Julaton was a smashing success in her debut two months ago when she submitted Aya Saber in their flyweight bout.