BAGUIO CITY -- Jenelyn Olsim is eager to prove her worth in the strawweight class anew after months of constant recovery and training once she steps into the Circle next month.
Facing the Filipino crowd for the first time in her ONE Championship career, Olsim draws motivation from fighting for and in the country against a Chinese opponent Meng Bo on Dec. 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
"Sobrang importante po ito kasi mapapanood ako ng crowd at tsaka ng mga kababayan ko," said Olsim, who holds a 6-3 mixed martial arts record. "Very special po ng larong 'to kasi nakaka-inspire na dito sa Pilipinas gaganapin at sa strawweight siya."
Olsim last saw action against Julie Mezabarba in June, winning by a split decision.
The Team Lakay stalwart suffered an injury around February as her bout against Jihin Radzuan was cancelled for the second time. She spent her time on recovery at that point before returning to the scene and make a successful comeback against Mezabarba.
But one thing that Olsim wanted to show would be the fruition of her non-stop training at the Team Lakay gym.
"Sobrang tagal ko na ring walang fight kaya gusto kong i-prove na consistent ako sa lahat ng training namin," added the 25-year-old Olsim.
Against Meng Bo though, Olsim is wary of the Chinese's striking prowess which gave her all the more reason to enhance her ground game.
A submission finish is something that Olsim had envisioned and her improved grappling skills would be something that Filipino and fight fans have to look out for.
"Hinahasa ko talaga 'yong grounds ko so I think that's my advantage sa kanya," added Olsim. "Heavy puncher din siya so kailangan ko lang paghandaan 'yong boxing niya at timing-an 'yong mga strikes niya."
Meng Bo, for her part, has a 19-6 record and suffered back-to-back losses against the likes of Ritu Phogat and Tiffany Teo in September 2021 and January 2022, respectively.