Grateful Phetjeeja Opens Up on “Historic Moment” With Janet Todd at ONE Fight Night 20

Published 03/13/2024, 10:05 AM EDT

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Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom had a memorable outing this past weekend for a couple of reasons.

“The Queen” was crowned the undisputed ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion at ONE Fight Night 20 last Friday, March 8, defeating longtime titleholder Janet Todd.

Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom talks about her fight against Janet Todd

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Their match was the main event of the all-female card on International Women’s Day inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Prior to the match, Todd announced that it would be her final professional match, regardless of the outcome. While she had hoped to come out on top with the World Title in hand, Phetjeeja proved to be the better woman that night, scoring a unanimous decision win after five hard-fought rounds.

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Following the event, the Thai star, who entered the bout as the interim titleholder, revealed that there was tremendous pressure on her to be at her best, considering everything at stake.

“Of course, there was a lot of pressure for me because she [Janet Todd] was also the champion. I just kept telling myself not to think about the fight and not to stress out as much and to just go with the flow,” Phetjeeja said.

“It’s such an honor to fight Janet Todd in her retirement fight. I’m very happy that I was part of her last fight so she can remember me, and I can remember her. It’s a historic moment for both of us.”

In her last two fights, the Team Mehdi Zatout representative beat two top-tier talents in striking legend Anissa Meksen, whom she won the interim crown against last December, and Todd.

Asked who the tougher fight was, Phetjeeja was unable to give a definitive answer.

“Both of them are very strong and were both challenging. I can’t compare both of them and decide which one was the most challenging. But I would think that they’re both challenging in different ways. I’m very happy to be able to get past both challenges,” she said.

After conquering the best of the best in the women’s atomweight kickboxing division, Phetjeeja has certainly earned the right to pick her next challenge.

“I Would Like to Inspire All Women” – Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom Sends an Inspiring Message With Aims to Unify Atomweight Muay Thai Belt at One Fight Night 20

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What’s next for the undisputed ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion?

Considering the fact that her first four wins in ONE Championship came via knockout in Muay Thai, it’s no surprise that she wants to return to the “art of eight limbs” and resume her quest for a bout with the sport’s queen, Allycia Hellen Rodrigues.

“I think there’s a high chance of us facing each other soon. Champion versus champion. I think it’s more likely that I’ll go for the Muay Thai belt,” Phetjeeja declared.

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How do you think that a fight between Allycia Hellen Rodrigues and Phetjeeja would go? Will she have what it takes to beat the Muay Thai champion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Janet Todd & Phetjeeja Take Center Stage as ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing Gold Are Put on the Line at ONE Fight Night 20

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Written by:

Imtikokba Jamir

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Imtikokba Jamir is a UFC Writer at EssentiallySports. He is your typical MMA geek who is always on top of the happenings in the sport. Imti’s coverage is not restricted to his favorite fighters, including the likes of Justin Gaethje and Robert Whittaker, but also off-court MMA enthusiasts like the celebrity Mark Wahlberg and former POTUS Donald Trump.
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Edited by:

Yeswanth Praveen