As the sport grows, Gina Iniong vows to carry the torch for women’s mixed martial arts

MANILA, Philippines—Gina Iniong is ready to carry her part in the women’s revolution in the mixed martial arts world.

Team Lakay’s atomweight contender said she’s ready to become the poster child of the sport’s evolution in the Philippines.

“I’m happy that women’s mixed martial arts here in the Philippines is starting to grow as days go by,” said Iniong (8-4). “Now, many promotions have weight classes for women which proves mixed martial arts is now for everybody, not just men.”

ONE Championship has two weight classes for women with Xiong Jing Nan championing the women’s strawweight division while Angela Lee holds the title in the women’s atomweight division.

Stamp Fairtex also owns two titles in the ONE Super Series holding the belts for Muay Thai and Kickboxing.

“You can now also see highlight-reel knockouts and submissions from us which only proves that the future of women’s mixed martial arts is very promising,” said Iniong.

There’s also the reality that a career in mixed martial arts is a viable profession for women, and that the sport is not just a mere discipline to use in self-defense.

“Women are starting to recognize that we have tons of potential in this sport, not just as an athlete who wants to stay fit but also as a competitor in real life as it also develops our will to win and to achieve more,” said Iniong.

“It only shows that women can also dominate and at the same time entertain fans.”

Iniong, though, hopes that more Filipino women will get the opportunity she got for herself and that’s competing in the highest level of the sport.

“Mixed martial arts gave direction to my life and that’s that main reason for the good life I’m enjoying at the moment,” said Iniong. “I will always want to perform better so I can inspire other ladies.”

“I will continue to prove that we can do anything that men could.”