Alyse Anderson will return to ONE Championship on Friday, May 20, in an atomweight showdown with Asha Roka at ONE 157: Petchmorakot vs. Vienot.
Alyse Anderson Talks Bout with Asha Roka
The American star was edged out by Itsuki Hirata in her promotional debut, but she has made significant changes to her game since then.
Anderson quit her job and moved to American Top Team to dedicate herself full-time to her mixed martial arts career and train alongside the best women in the sport.
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“I only care about the result. I don’t care how I get it. That is so important to me, which is why there was a lot of pressure in why I moved camps. I put that pressure on myself,” she said.
“Everyone’s super competitive, and nobody likes to lose rounds even in the gym. With girls, it’s always 100%. Everyone’s always trying to win. Everyone’s texting at the end of practice like who beat up who. There’s a lot of anxiety and stress going on in these live sessions every day.
“There’s no way that a girl my size is going to intimidate me in any way. I’ve 100% been putting in the work with some of the best girls in the United States. So it definitely gives me confidence, day in and day out, in why am I doing this.”
Her intense training schedule has hardened “Lil’ Savage” to the point that she is not intimidated by her upcoming opponent. That said, she isn’t taking Roka lightly either.
The 27-year-old star has been preparing for the best version of the Indian-Nepalese talent – though she has recognized some areas where she may hold a decisive advantage.
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“I know she’s done some boxing before MMA, and she hasn’t fought in a while. So, I don’t know how much she’s improved from her time off in the cage. But from what I do see, I feel like her biggest one in her game is her grappling. And I think that’s really strong for me,” Anderson said.
“I do have the reach advantage. So, I think that I can do a good job keeping her on the outside of my long-range for atomweight. But I definitely see my biggest advantage in the fight is going to the ground.”
Fans should expect instant action when their tussle kicks off on 20 May. After dropping the decision loss to Hirata in her first outing, Anderson plans to turn up the tempo this time around.
If Roka meets her aggression, “Lil’ Savage” has prepared for a quick takedown, and she believes she’ll take home the win from there.
“I feel like I always try to bring a high pace immediately. And I think even more so after not pressing the pace on my last fight until the third round. I have seen her fights, and she comes out pretty crazy and reckless,” Anderson said.
“If she does decide to come on like that, it’s just going to be an easy takedown. The best thing about ATT is having so many girl partners that are, kind of, always trying to take your head off. So, being used to that now, and at a high-level gym, makes me more confident, and not too nervous about all the things that I think she does bring to the table in a fight.
“I feel like I’m going to finish on the ground. I don’t know what round but either TKO from a grappling exchange or a submission.”
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A victory would thrust Anderson back into the hunt in ONE’s jam-packed women’s atomweight division. So, this battle could have major implications for one of the promotion’s most exciting weight classes.
ONE 157 will air live and free on watch.onefc.com on Friday, May 20, at 4:30 a.m. ET/1:30 a.m. PT.
