Lara Fernandez is looking to stun the martial arts world on Friday, July 22, at ONE 159: De Ridder vs. Bigdash with an epic ONE Championship debut.
The Spanish striker will meet ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion Janet Todd in the co-main event to determine the ONE Interim Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion.
In an interview with ONE, Fernandez discussed her upbringing and initial love of being active. Whether it was street soccer or dancing, Fernandes was always in love with being in motion. But when she first saw Muay Thai, it captivated her attention.
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“I discovered Muay Thai for the first time at an event that took place in my town. It caught my attention so much that I wanted to try it,” said Fernandez.
“If I’m honest, I don’t even know what made me fall in love with it. I just wanted to try it, I started training, and since then, I haven’t stopped.”
Although her parents were not in love with the idea of their daughter taking up the sport, they still supported her endeavor into the “Art of Eight Limbs.”
As she matured and developed her skills, Fernandez soon found herself moving to join the Lone Wolf Fight Team.
“I moved to Coria del Rio to train and met my current coach there. I loved the atmosphere that you can feel in this school. Since I got to this academy, I wanted to train here,” said Fernandez.
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“My parents’ reaction was the same one they had when I started competing. They always let me learn from my mistakes, and I really appreciate that. I believe there is no better way to learn.”
While she may be an unheralded athlete making her ONE debut on July 22, her skills speak for just how talented she is when the bell rings.
The Spanish star claimed two World Championships before signing with ONE. In 2019, Fernandez picked up the ISKA Kickboxing World Title and followed it up with a WBC Muay Thai World Title in 2020.
“It was incredible [to win my first World Title]. This was not in my natural division of 59 kilograms. I got there 3 kilos underweight, so I went on a diet to gain weight and I got the victory. I decided to take the challenge, and it was worth it,” said the Spaniard.
Now she is coming to the global stage, hoping to show the world she belongs among the elite of the Muay Thai world.
The challenges that await her, specifically in Todd, who is already a ONE World Champion and looking for two-sport gold, is exactly why she made the move.
“Signing with ONE Championship is like reaching the top of the sport. I am super happy, super excited,” said Fernandez.
“My biggest dream was to be amongst the top fighters, and now that I am here, it’s a great motivation to keep going and someday beat them all. I work hard every day. I really believe I am at the same level now.”
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On July 22, at ONE 159, Fernandez plans to wow the worldwide audience and become a true global star.
“The fans barely know me, but I will put on a show. Then I will become their favorite fighter.”
ONE 159 airs live and free on watch.onefc.com on Friday, July 22.
