ONE women’s atomweight Muay Thai world champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues will now defend her throne against English-Irish star Marie McManamon at the Saturday, March 8 event inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Rodrigues was initially scheduled to battle surging Israeli striker Shir Cohen until an injury rendered her unable to compete. However, McManamon answered the call, and her inclusion has saved the thrilling show’s headliner.
Commendably, Rodrigues took the challenge of the fresh-faced promotional newcomer with a champion’s mindset.
The Brazilian striker has dominated the atomweight Muay Thai division since her arrival in ONE in 2020. She took out former divisional queen Stamp Fairtex to win the gold in her debut and has been electric since her return from giving birth to her first child in 2023.
Rodrigues took out American kickboxing icon and then-interim titleholder Janet Todd to unify the atomweight Muay Thai gold in March of that year, which gave her the confidence to move up to strawweight for her next matchup.
An unsuccessful challenge of former ONE women’s strawweight Muay Thai world champion Smilla Sundell’s crown in September 2023 was the result of her quest, but the 26-year-old powerhouse charged back six months later to defend her world title against Cristina Morales at ONE Fight Night 20.
Rodrigues has always made it clear that she’d welcome any and all challengers to her reign, and she’ll undoubtedly have a game one standing opposite her at ONE Fight Night 29.
Fighting out of the esteemed Knowlesy Academy, alongside the likes of ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Haggerty, Freddie Haggerty, and Liam Nolan, McManamon will debut in ONE Championship as one of the best female strikers on the British scene.
Representing both England and Ireland, she has developed a reputation in her fights thanks to her high-pressure approach that she complements with a gas tank that has her barely breaking a sweat deep into the later rounds.
Having stepped in on short notice, McManamon has a true Rocky-esque moment in front of her. Time and preparation may not be on her side, but she has the chance to shock the world and dethrone a champion on the biggest striking stage there is.
Conversely, Rodrigues has the opportunity to show that there are levels to the game, and a late change means little to the best as they strive to cement their legacy.
