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The journey to ONE Fight Night 29 has been anything but smooth for reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues. However, the Brazilian champion remains resolute as she prepares to defend her title against Marie McManamon on Friday, March 7, at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Rodrigues initially trained for a fight against dangerous striker Shir Cohen. However, with just over a week left before fight night, Cohen was forced to withdraw due to injury, prompting a last-minute opponent change. Rather than let the unexpected disruption affect her mindset, Rodrigues remains unfazed, treating McManamon as just another challenger in her path.
“Before I was offered the fight, I didn’t know Marie, and from the little I’ve seen of her, I like her style,” Rodrigues stated. “I’m very focused, and I’m well prepared. I’ve been training for a long time, and I’m very confident, even though she is a good fighter. But so am I, right? I’m number one.”
Since making her ONE Championship debut, Rodrigues has continuously faced elite competition. She made an immediate impact in 2020 by dethroning Stamp Fairtex to claim the atomweight Muay Thai world title, proving she belonged among the best.
With each title defense, the pressure to remain champion has only grown, but Rodrigues embraces the challenge. She acknowledges the weight of expectations but sees it as a driving force rather than a burden.
“I always feel pressure. There’s no way around it. As they say, it’s hard to reach the top but even harder to stay there,” she admitted. “So, I always feel the pressure — and as always, the anxiety that hits is that urge to fight immediately, and also to defend my belt, to win.”
Now, as she steps into the ring at ONE Fight Night 29, Rodrigues is determined to show once again why she holds the top spot in the atomweight Muay Thai division.