Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaol will return to action on home soil looking to return to winning ways.

The 30-year-old Indonesian started the year with a hat-trick of first-round finishes, stopping Audreylaura Boniface via TKO in January, submitting Krisna Limbaga via armbar in February and making Rome Trinidad tap to a guillotine choke in May.

But that run of form came to a halt in her most recent contest, when she lost out to rising teenage star Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan in July at ONE: PURSUIT OF POWER.

“I accepted the loss with humility, as Radzuan clearly bested me that evening,” admits Lumban Gaol.

“I experienced a hard time escaping from her grappling skills. It was particularly hard for me to escape when being struck on the ground.”

Now Lumban Gaol has the chance to return to the win column when she faces undefeated Filipina Jomary “The Zamboanginian Fighter” Torres at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES in Jakarta, Indonesia on 22 September.

“I believe that I will win,” she states.

“I am highly motivated, as I have trained like a champion.”

“I am currently focusing on gaining more power in my attacks, as I learned the hard way after my loss against Radzuan.

“I know there are special techniques to escape from certain holds, and I am learning those to further improve my ground game.”

Lumban Gaol’s expanded training programme, includes CrossFit, weight training and additional striking sessions, and the Indonesian says her new and improved regimen has paid off.

However, she knows she has to continue her efforts to be in peak condition for her pivotal contest in her homeland.

“Despite feeling more powerful, I know it is a long process to get to where I want to be,” she says.

“I am undergoing heavy training twice a week [to improve my power], and I hope it improves by the time I enter the cage at ONE: CONQUEST OF HEROES.”

Lumban Gaol knows she faces a tough test in the form of Torres, a 22-year-old rising star who has shown her skills inside the ONE Championship cage, including a 40-second slam KO of April Osenio which, at the time, was the fastest stoppage in ONE Championship women’s history.

Despite that eye-catching KO, it has been Torres’ grappling proficiency that has given her the edge in most of her bouts to date. 

Lumban Gaol is well aware of that fact, and after building her strength during her training camp, “Thathie” says she is ready to fend off Torres’ takedown attempts and defeat her with her striking game.

“I will execute my best strikes, maintain the game on my feet, and be prepared for any takedown attempts. I will also execute better grappling techniques if needed,” she explains.

“I believe everyone has weaknesses, and I cannot focus on my opponent’s strength. 

“The important thing for me is to execute my game plan without any mistakes.”

With Lumban Gaol holding an undefeated record on home soil, the Indonesian favourite will hope to extend that form by handing Torres the first defeat of her career.