Janet Todd is facing promotional newcomer Lara Fernandez at ONE 159 next month. The American will be fighting for the interim atomweight Muay Thai title.
It is a chance for Todd to add a second title to her current collection. If she wins then a unification bout with regular champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues will be next on the agenda for the American.
She also has an atomweight kickboxing title to defend and Anissa Meksen has been very vocal about wanting to challenge for that. It means Todd is facing threats from multiple directions but all the 36 year old can see is exciting opportunities,
“I think any title holder or top contender should be ONE’s most wanted, shouldn’t they? I want to be able to stay on top and continue to fight top-level competition. So I welcome the challenge. It is a compliment.”
Japanese-American star Janet Todd wipes out Ekaterina "Barbie" Vandaryeva with 💥 CRACKING 💥 Round 2 knockout! #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship #ONECentury pic.twitter.com/JtAG7h8W7e
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) October 13, 2019
New people
While Fernandez was not a name on many people’s lips when potential opponents for Todd were being discussed she is excited to test herself against a relatively unknown opponent,
“I think that’s the part I love about this sport, too. There are always new people coming up. And once you get the belt, it doesn’t mean that you stay up there. You have to constantly find ways to improve and get better. I’m not perfect in the sport, either.”
This will be the seventh different opponent Todd has faced since signing for ONE Championship in 2019 and getting to fight different opponents with different styles is what she loves about the sport,
“It’s always a challenge, and I’m always trying to problem-solve. And I think that’s in my nature to do that. So I think that’s part of the reason why I love this sport so much.”
Janet Todd 🇺🇸 FOLDS Anne Line Hogstad in half! @tntdrama @BR_MMA @brlive #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship #ONEonTNT2 pic.twitter.com/kiJNsBnr30
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) April 15, 2021
Ready to return
It seems Rodriguez is almost ready to return after the birth of her first child. ONE Championship has officially declared that the next fight for Todd will be against the Brazilian champion who is coming off an impressive win over Stamp Fairtex but hasn’t fought in nearly two years.
Angela Lee set the blueprint for a champion to make a successful return after taking time out to give birth. Rodriguez will be looking to replicate her success and it sounds like Todd is already preparing for the Brazilian,
‘”She has some immense forward pressure as well. And she is able to utilize all of her weapons. Her elbows, her knees. She had some good body shots as well, body shots, and left kicks.”
If Todd can capture the Muay Thai and kickboxing belts then she will replicate Stamp’s achievement. It will mean that all roads lead to the American and she relishes the opportunity to face new contenders in title fights like the one that is booked for ONE 159.
