Hong Kong Sevens: Ramona Pascual goes from rugby to the UFC to her moment of truth

The city will be immersed in all the drama of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens this weekend and there was a time when Ramona Pascual would have been, too.

As a rugby prospect in her 20s Pascual was part of the Hong Kong set up before injuries helped force her to find another path in life and that is why she’s in Las Vegas this weekend – and not at the Hong Kong Stadium. But there’s also high drama in store for the 34-year-old Pascual (6-4) as she faces a fight that will no doubt frame her immediate fortunes.

Hong Kong’s only UFC fighter is on a 0-2 run since joining the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation and she’s well aware of what fate usually awaits any fighter who goes 0-3.

“You’re not going to get asked back with three [straight losses] so there is a lot riding on this,” Pascual said.

“I have to win. But at the same time, if I think that my life is over if I lose this fight, then I’ll be the cause of my own suffering. I’m committed to this career, and it’s important, but if I think that this is the end, that is going to affect my performance and my ability to make the right decisions in the moment as well. So I’m just managing it to where I can channel that and use it as motivation.”