ONE Championship has announced an intriguing women’s atomweight MMA clash between undefeated American fighter Natalie Salcedo and Japanese wrestling specialist Chihiro Sawada at ONE Fight Night 39 on Friday, January 23, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
So far, the card is looking strong on MMA, and this match just adds to what’s shaping up to be an action-packed first U.S. primetime event from the promotion in 2026.
The 33-year-old Colorado-based striker brings a perfect 4-0 professional record into her second promotional appearance. This follows an impressive first-round submission victory over Argentina’s Macarena Aragon in her promotional debut last September.
Salcedo combines a Muay Thai striking foundation with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt credentials, creating a dangerous skill set that has produced finishes throughout her undefeated career, both at the amateur and professional level.
American Military Brat Seeks Second Promotional Victory in Atomweight MMA Clash
Born in California and now based in Colorado, the military brat compiled an unblemished amateur record before transitioning seamlessly to professional competition with four consecutive victories.
Salcedo’s diverse martial arts background provides multiple paths to victory against any opponent, as demonstrated by the submission win that announced her arrival to ONE Championship’s atomweight MMA division.
Her combination of striking and high-level grappling makes her a complete mixed martial artist capable of finishing fights in all phases. In addition, the Colorado resident has shown a willingness to engage wherever fights take place.
A victory over the experienced Sawada would immediately establish Salcedo as a legitimate threat in the atomweight MMA division while validating her decision to test herself against top-tier international competition.
Japanese Wrestler Brings Momentum from Recent Atomweight MMA Wins
The 28-year-old Japanese contender enters with a 10-1 professional record and 5-1 promotional mark, featuring two impressive submission victories that showcase her grappling prowess. Training at AACC and IDEA, Sawada has established herself as one of atomweight MMA’s most dangerous wrestlers through her explosive takedowns, relentless pace, and punishing ground-and-pound attack.
Sawada, a former Shooto Champion, burst into ONE Championship in February 2023 with a submission victory over Sanaz Fayazmanesh via Americana, immediately demonstrating her finishing ability at the highest levels. After compiling a three-bout winning streak, she suffered her only promotional setback before bouncing back with consecutive victories that solidified her as a top-five atomweight MMA contender.
Her most recent performance proved definitive, as she demolished hometown star Hirata at ONE 173 last month, showcasing the complete skill set that makes her a nightmare matchup for any atomweight MMA competitor.
The Japanese wrestler’s explosive style and proven finishing ability present significant challenges for opponents unprepared for her pace and pressure. Her ground-and-pound game has proven particularly devastating when she secures top position, forcing defensive reactions that create submission opportunities.
Title Shot Implications Loom for Victorious Atomweight MMA Contender
The winner of this atomweight MMA showdown will position themselves favorably for future title opportunities in a division ruled by Denice Zamboanga, the reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion. Both fighters possess the skills and momentum necessary to challenge for gold with impressive performances against quality opposition.
For Salcedo, defeating an established top-five contender like Sawada in just her second promotional appearance would mark her as an instant threat while proving her ability to compete with the division’s best wrestlers. The American’s undefeated record and killer instinct make her an attractive challenger if she can overcome the Japanese veteran’s explosive wrestling attack.
For Sawada, another dominant victory would strengthen her case as the next logical title challenger following her demolition of Hirata. The Japanese contender’s 5-1 promotional slate with multiple stoppages demonstrates consistent performance against top competition, exactly what championship opportunities require.
ONE Fight Night 39 airs live on Prime Video on Friday, January 23. The action begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.
