In the electrifying atmosphere of Bangkok`s Lumpinee Stadium, Allycia Hellen Rodrigues, the long-reigning queen of the ONE Atomweight Muay Thai division, successfully defended her world championship, marking the beginning of her remarkable fifth year at the top. Her latest challenge came from Sweden`s Johanna Persson in the main event of ONE Fight Night 33.
Persson entered the high-stakes contest backed by significant momentum, boasting an impressive seven-fight winning streak capped by a WBC Muay Thai world title. The stage was set for a potential upset, with the challenger exuding confidence in her ability to dethrone the seemingly invincible champion.
From the opening bell, Rodrigues established control, utilizing her technical precision to manage the distance. She peppered Persson with sharp jabs, effective straight kicks, and well-timed roundhouses, dictating the rhythm of the fight. Persson, meanwhile, attempted to close the range, mixing her punches and low kicks and occasionally engaging in the clinch to land knees.
The intensity escalated in the second round. Persson increased her aggression, unleashing knees and elbows in close quarters. However, Rodrigues demonstrated formidable defense, skillfully blocking incoming attacks. More importantly, she countered effectively, seamlessly switching levels with her punches and initiating her own powerful knee strikes when the distance closed.
The third round proved decisive. Persson surged forward with renewed energy, initiating aggressive exchanges with elbows and punches. Yet, Rodrigues, cool and composed, created space. Less than a minute into the round, she landed a sharp right hand to the body, immediately followed by a crushing left hook to the jaw. Persson dropped to the canvas, visibly stunned.
Despite the obvious impact, Persson displayed immense courage, answering the referee Olivier Coste`s count and signalling her desire to continue. It was a brave stand, perhaps ill-advised in retrospect, against a champion in finishing mode.
Seconds later, Rodrigues capitalized on the moment. She backed Persson towards the ropes, delivered another punishing right hand to the body, and then uncorked that same massive left hook. The effect was immediate and conclusive. Persson fell again, and the referee promptly waved off the fight, ensuring the safety of the athlete and confirming Rodrigues`s victory by knockout.
The win advances Rodrigues`s professional record to a formidable 35-7 and earned her an additional $50,000 performance bonus for her dominant finish. Beyond the numbers, this victory solidified her status as one of the most dominant champions in Muay Thai today, extending a reign that few have managed to challenge effectively.
It`s a testament to Rodrigues`s skill and enduring power that challengers, even those with impressive credentials and winning streaks, find themselves unable to overcome her at this elite level. The atomweight throne, it seems, remains firmly occupied.
Beyond the main event, ONE Fight Night 33 delivered other notable Muay Thai encounters. A featherweight bout between Shadow Singha Mawynn and Mohamed Younes Rabah ended in an unfortunate no-contest due to an accidental eye poke early in the second frame, curtailing what promised to be an exciting clash.
Earlier in the evening, Vladimir Kuzmin secured a unanimous decision victory over Stefan Korodi in a competitive bantamweight fight. Kuzmin`s more fluid style and effective counter-striking proved the difference against Korodi`s traditional approach, highlighting the diverse tactics seen in the sport.
While the event featured various narratives, the central story was undeniably Allycia Hellen Rodrigues`s continued, unyielding dominance over her division, demonstrated once again by her decisive knockout performance.
Marcus Bellamy