Atomweight titles were on the line at ONE Fight Night 20. Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom was crowned as the undisputed kickboxing champion while Allycia Rodrigues successfully defended her Muay Thai title.
Interim champion Phetjeeja was looking to unify the kickboxing titles when she faced regular champion Janet Todd. It was the American’s final fight but she was denied a story book ending by the spirited Thai.
Phetjeeja’s pressure was simply too much for Todd. The American was forced to fight off the back foot for the entire five round fight but took too much damage in the process.
Phetjeeja attacked relentlessly with knees, kicks and punches. With about a minute remaining in the final round she dropped Todd with a glancing right hand.
All three judges scored the fight 40-44 for Phetjeeja who unifies the atomweight kickboxing title. Afterwards she called for a shot at reigning Muay Thai champion Rodrigues.
“The Queen” drops “JT” with a PERFECT counter! 💯
Watch the full ONE Fight Night 20 event replay in 🇺🇸🇨🇦 on Prime 👉 https://t.co/AnbuSRJ3X2 or around the 🌍 on https://t.co/eBUfsOlZOd (geo-restrictions may apply)#ONEChampionship #MartialArts #Kickboxing pic.twitter.com/4klRtkODX4
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) March 9, 2024
Successful defence
The first title fight of the night was only slightly closer. Cristina Morales made a good start and appeared to have got the better of the opening round.
But from that moment onwards it was all Allycia Rodrigues who controlled the final four rounds to successfully defend her atomweight title. The scorecards read 50-45 and 49-46 (x 2) in her favour. Afterwards the Brazilian was joined in the ring by her two year old son.
AND STILL 👑 Allycia Hellen Rodrigues retains her atomweight Muay Thai strap and gets a special surprise in the ring!
Tune in to Prime Video and Sky Sports NOW to catch the rest of ONE Fight Night 20!#ONEFightNight20 | 🔴 Live Now
🇺🇸🇨🇦 Watch Live on Prime 👉… pic.twitter.com/57x0ASg07D— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) March 9, 2024
Best of the rest
In a catchweight Muay Thai fight Jackie Buntan put an end to Martine Michieletto’s 15 fight winning streak, beating the Italian by unanimous decision. Next up for the Fil-Am fighter could be a shot at strawweight champion Smilla Sundell.
Buntan wasn’t the only strawweight Muay Thai fighter to enjoy success on this all female card. Ekaterina Vandaryeva scored a second round knockdown and beat Martyna Kierczyńska by decision to establish her title creentials.
ONE Fight Night 20, Bangkok, March 9th
Kickboxing: Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom (ic) def. Janet Todd (c) via Decision (Unanimous)
Muay Thai: Allycia Rodrigues (c) def. Cristina Morales via Decision (Unanimous)
Muay Thai: Jackie Buntan def. Martine Michieletto via Decision (Unanimous)
MMA: Chihiro Sawada def. Jihin Radzuan via Decision (Unanimous)
Muay Thai: Ekaterina Vandaryeva def. Martyna Kierczyńska via Decision (Unanimous)
Muay Thai: Yu Yau Pui def. Lara Fernandez via Decision (Unanimous)
MMA: Noelle Grandjean def. Victória Souza via Decision (Unanimous)
Submission Grappling: Mayssa Bastos def. Kanae Yamada via Decision (Unanimous)
Muay Thai: Shir Cohen def. Teodora Kirilova via TKO (Punches) at 2:27 of R2
