After Beating Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom, Allycia Hellen Rodrigues Sets Her Sights on MMA
Allycia Hellen Rodrigues remains the queen of ONE Championship’s Atomweight Muay Thai division, and now, she has an MMA debut in her sights.
Rodrigues successfully defended her ONE Women's Atomweight Muay Thai World Title against Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom at The Inner Circle 19, denying the Thai striker a shot at two-sport glory and marking her fifth successful defense of the crown.
The 28-year-old Brazilian remains undefeated in the atomweight division and improved her career mark to 36-7. The victory keeps Rodrigues firmly atop a division she has ruled for years and adds another statement result to one of the most accomplished title reigns in ONE Championship.
After the win, Rodrigues broke down the closeness of the contest, addressed Phetjeeja directly, and revealed her own plans for a future move to MMA.
Despite Close Fight, Rodrigues Says She Won Most of the Rounds
The contest against Phetjeeja was not a one-sided affair, and Rodrigues was honest about how tight the scorecards likely were. The champion explained her own read on the fight while acknowledging the moments where her challenger found success.
"It was a close fight, but I feel I won most of the rounds. I only lost one round, so I was a little bit unsure, but I was confident that I did enough to take the win," Rodrigues said.
Phetjeeja's pedigree as the reigning ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion made her one of the most credible challengers Rodrigues has faced during her five title defenses.
Rodrigues Praises Phetjeeja, Leaves the Door Open for a Rematch
Beyond the result, Rodrigues took a moment to acknowledge the magnitude of the opponent she had just defeated. Her message reflected genuine respect for Phetjeeja's journey and hinted at the possibility of revisiting their rivalry down the line.
"We're always ready, and we're going to get better and better. I have so much respect for you and your story. It was a pleasure to share the ring with Phetjeeja. See you soon," Rodrigues said.
A rematch between the two would be a natural follow-up given how close the contest proved to be. Phetjeeja's championship resume and the competitive nature of their first meeting mean any future booking between the two would carry significant weight in the atomweight division once again.
Rodrigues Reveals She Is Already Training for an MMA Move
With her Muay Thai title successfully defended, Rodrigues has turned her attention toward a new challenge. The Brazilian champion confirmed that a shift in disciplines is already underway, with a specific goal driving the decision.
"I'm already training MMA, and I'm planning to make the move. If everything goes well, my next fight will be in MMA. For sure, I want the MMA belt," she explained.
A move to MMA would add an entirely new chapter to a career that has already produced five successful Muay Thai title defenses and an unbeaten run in the atomweight division. Should Rodrigues follow through on her ambitions, the ONE Atomweight MMA World Championship picture would gain one of the most accomplished strikers in the promotion's history as a new contender.
