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Allycia Hellen Rodrigues has no intention of letting anyone else wear her gold. The Brazilian champion is ready to prove why she’s held the throne for nearly five years.
The reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion defends her title against WBC Muay Thai World Champion Johanna Persson at ONE Fight Night 33 on Friday, July 11, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For Rodrigues, the bout represents her fourth title defense and another opportunity to cement her legacy.
The 27-year-old mother has been nothing short of dominant since capturing the crown from Stamp Fairtex in 2020. She’s defeated elite competition including former champions and top contenders throughout her reign.
Rodrigues understands the pressure that comes with being a champion. Every challenger brings hunger and desperation to take what she worked so hard to achieve.
But the Brazilian has studied her Swedish challenger extensively and believes she knows the key vulnerabilities to exploit. Persson’s defensive habits could create openings for Rodrigues to capitalize on.
“Every title defense is very important to me. There’s no such thing as an easier or harder fight. I always feel the same pressure in all of them and always give everything in every training camp,” she said.
“I feel like I always have to do more because I know how hungry my opponents are to take my belt. The most important thing is always on the line – my belt. And no one is taking it from me.
“I believe her clinch game is a strong point, and I noticed she also throws elbows and likes to apply pressure during the fight. I saw in some videos that her guard is quite open, and she also opens up a bit when throwing punches. I’ll definitely use my boxing and kicks to capitalize on that.”
