ONE Championship: Allycia Rodrigues sees next title defence against ‘idol’ Phetjeeja after Smilla Sundell super fight
- Atomweight Muay Thai champ predicts ‘five-round war’ when she moves up to fight for second belt against Sundell in Singapore on September 30
- Swede may have the size advantage but Rodrigues has speed, says her head coach Leo Elias of Phuket Fight Club
ONE Championship atomweight Muay Thai queen Allycia Rodrigues is thrilled to have been called out by promotional newcomer Phetjeeja Ormeekhun – a woman she has long considered her “idol”.
Phetjeeja earned a US$100,000 ONE Championship main roster contract in May after dismantling back-to-back opponents on ONE Friday Fight cards.
“The Queen” made a quick turnaround and competed on June’s ONE Fight Night 12 card against Lara Fernandez, winning via 26-second TKO.
Immediately after her win at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, the 21-year-old Thai star asked for a title shot against Brazil’s Rodrigues, and it was music to her ears, since she has long had Phetjeeja on her radar.
“I’ve known about Phetjeeja for a long time,” Rodrigues, 25, told the Post. “I knew her when she was even fighting with boys. She was my idol. As a fighter, I always looked up to Phetjeeja before.
