Smilla Sundell lost her ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title before she even took to the ring for her latest outing. But instead of being criticized for missing weight, the teen sensation was showered with love and support from her fellow fighters. 

In the main event of ONE Fight Night 22 last weekend, Sundell defeated Russia’s Natalia “Karelian Lynx” Diachkova via a third-round knockout to keep her perfect promotional run alive. 

Smilla Sundell talks about her victory over the “Karelian Lynx”

Unfortunately, she had been stripped of the strawweight Muay Thai crown hours before because she failed to make weight, which left Diachkova as the only fighter who could claim the World Title.

Sundell had to endure a strong showing from her foe in the first two rounds, but she roared back to force a stoppage in the third and was relieved to get the win.

“I saw she got hurt to her body. If she would have gone to the ground, she would have got an eight-count, but she didn’t. She went into the ropes. And that made me confused. Because then the referee would have to stop the fight,” she said.  

“But I knew I just had to keep going until he stopped it.” 

“The Hurricane” thanks fellow athletes

The victory was bittersweet for “The Hurricane,” as she remained undefeated in ONE but went home without the gold on her shoulder. 

The pain of losing something she had worked so hard for without dropping a loss was evident on Sundell’s face after the official weigh-ins. However, she powered through thanks to the support she got from family, friends, fellow athletes, and even former foes.

“It’s been hard this last day. I’ve been very sad. But I’ve had many people online supporting me. And it means a lot to me. It kept me going [in the fight],” the 19-year-old said. 

“I can’t thank people enough. It was tough because I didn’t make the weight. But I’ve had very nice people reaching out to me. Angela Lee reached out to me – Allycia (Hellen Rodrigues), Milana (Bjelogrlic), and so many more. I have everyone on my side. I’m very thankful for that.”

“And I’m thankful for everyone who came to cheer me on today at Lumpinee and all around the world watching. It means the world to me. I had family coming out from Sweden, Australia, and Vietnam. Yeah, I’m just so thankful.”