At ONE Fight Night 20, “The Queen” Phetjeeja took command of the ONE Championship atomweight kickboxing division. The Thai star unified the ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Championship in a unanimous decision win over Janet Todd. In the aftermath of the International Women’s Day event, Phetjeeja shared her thoughts on being the American’s final opponent.
“It’s such an honor to fight Janet Todd in her retirement fight. I’m very happy that I was part of her last fight so she can remember me, and I can remember her. It’s a historic moment for both of us,” Phetjeeja told ONE.
Phetjeeja also shared that she was feeling the pressure of the moment. The Thai star had lit up the ONE Friday Fights series and captured the interim crown against pound-for-pound great Anissa Meksen, but this was a main event in U.S. primetime. In an exciting performance, Phetjeeja never tipped her cards that she felt how big the moment was.
“Of course, there was a lot of pressure for me because she [Janet Todd] was also the champion. I just kept telling myself not to think about the fight and not to stress out as much and to just go with the flow,” the undisputed champion said.
After experiencing both Meksen and Todd, Phetjeeja was asked about her feelings on the two athletes. He noted that both women were strong but did not compare them beyond that. For the 22-year-old, they were unique challenges.
Now, with the kickboxing title over her shoulder, there is more work to be done. “The Queen” is already eyeing a return to Muay Thai to chase two-sport gold. With Allycia Hellen Rodrigues retaining the title on the same card, Phetjeeja sees a future date between the two champions.
“I think there’s a high chance of us facing each other soon. Champion versus champion. I think it’s more likely that I’ll go for the Muay Thai belt,” the Thai star said.
Until her next bout is announced, Phetjeeja is rejoicing in what all of the women of ONE Fight Night 20 accomplished. Competing on International Women’s Day with an all-women’s card was a special moment to inspire women around the world. Phetjeeja was happy to lead the charge and elevate women in martial arts even further.
“I’m happy about my victory, but more importantly, I feel like it’s rare to see women showing others that we can choose any path, and it’s important to show that we can choose any career that we love, and it doesn’t have to be anything traditional anymore. I loved seeing the confidence of the women coming out and being inspired by us,” Phetjeeja replied.
