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MMA: New mom Gina Iniong keeping an eye on ONE's atomweight scene

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/06/15/gina.jpg"/><figcaption>Team Lakay star Gina Iniong.<em> Handout photo</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA, Philippines -- Team Lakay star Gina Iniong is learning to balance parenthood with her career as a mixed martial arts fighter.</p><p>Iniong, 32, gave birth to her daughter last November, her first child with Richard Araos.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s an amazing feeling to be a mom and it changed my view about life,&quot; said Iniong about motherhood. &quot;It changed me a lot, especially now that I&#x27;m looking after a fragile human being that is solely dependent on me.&quot;</p><p>Yet while she cherishes being a mother, Iniong still craves action -- especially as she has not fought for almost a year and a half now.</p><p>Iniong last stepped into the ONE Circle at ONE: Fire and Fury in January 2020, where she outpointed &quot;Knockout Queen&quot; Asha Roka of India to earn a unanimous decision win. It was her second straight win, propelling her to the fifth spot in the ONE atomweight rankings.</p><p>A kickboxing gold medalist in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, Iniong has continued to work out and stay in shape even as she juggles her responsibilities as a mother and a wife.</p><p>&quot;Despite my busy days as a mom, I know I still have to keep myself fit and train here at home since we have a mini gym here. I have to keep on working if I want to be as competitive as I was back then,&quot; she said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/28/20/mma-gina-iniong-eager-to-get-back-to-atomweight-title-picture">READ: Gina Iniong eager to get back to atomweight title picture</a></li></ul><p>She is aware that the atomweight division is a lot tougher now that when she left, however. A bevy of contenders have arrived, ready to challenge reigning champion Angela Lee of Singapore.</p><p>Among them is fellow Filipina and topranked contender Denice Zamboanga. Also seeking for a shot at Lee are: No. 2 Meng Bo of China, No. 3 Alyona Rassohyna of Ukraine, No. 4 Stamp Fairtex of Thailand, No. 5 &quot;Arale Chan&quot; Seo Hee Ham of Korea, Itsuki &quot;Strong Heart Fighter&quot; Hirata of Japan, and Alyse &quot;Lil&#x27; Savage&quot; Anderson of the United States.</p><p>All of those fighters will get a chance to prove their worth in the upcoming ONE Women&#x27;s Atomweight Grand Prix, with the winner earning herself a title match against Lee for the coveted belt.</p><p>Iniong will be an interested observer of the Atomweight Grand Prix, as she has a perfect chance to scout her competition before she returns to the ONE Circle.</p><p>&quot;Seeing the best atomweights in the world compete against one another will be a treat and a proof of how competitive the division has gotten,&quot; she said. &quot;But it also tells me that I always have to prepare for the worst, knowing how dangerous each of these women are if ever I face any of them.&quot;</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/11/18/20/mma-iniong-vs-zamboanga-in-one-so-be-it-says-team-lakay-coach">READ: Iniong vs. Zamboanga in ONE? &#x27;So be it,&#x27; says Team Lakay coach</a></li></ul><p>What&#x27;s certain is that Iniong will not lack for motivation when she does make her comeback.</p><p>&quot;Having my baby definitely makes me more motivated to fight again,&quot; she said. </p><p>&quot;I&#x27;ve always had that drive and fire to fight, and for sure, that drive and fire just got stronger with my daughter around. As a parent, all I want is for my child to see my hands raised at the end of my match,&quot; she added.</p><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1641294" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Team Lakay star Gina Iniong is learning to balance parenthood with her career as a mixed martial arts fighter.</p>

Team Lakay star Gina Iniong is learning to balance parenthood with her career as a mixed martial arts fighter.