Now, at ONE Fight Night 35 on September 5, she brings that self-assurance to Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium for her promotional debut against Argentina’s Macarena Aragon.
The 33-year-old Denver native understands the significance of first impressions in ONE Championship, where atomweight competition runs deep with elite talent. Her perfect 3-0 professional record, highlighted by two impressive finishes including a recent second-round armbar, has earned her this global stage opportunity.
“I know that this is gonna be my first fight. I know that it’s gonna be a good fight, and so I’m really excited for it. But I also don’t really think that she’s gonna be able to push me or challenge me as easy as she thinks,” Salcedo said.
Her confidence extends beyond bravado. Salcedo genuinely believes her well-rounded skill set gives her advantages regardless of where the competition unfolds, whether standing or on the ground.
“I think that anywhere the fight goes, I’m able to be a threat, whether we’re striking, whether we’re wrestling. (If) she throws me and I end up on bottom, cool. I can still stop you from the bottom,” she explains.
“I’m not honestly worried about where the fight goes because I know that anywhere in the fight, I can be dangerous.”
Standing across from her is Aragon, who entered ONE Championship with her own undefeated record but has faced challenges adapting to the promotion’s elite competition level. The Argentine judoka holds a 1-2 record in ONE, with her lone victory coming against Jihin Radzuan.
Salcedo has studied Aragon’s performances and sees technical opportunities to exploit.
“Her striking is very sloppy, like it’s just big punches, lazy kicks. There’s a lot that I can capitalize on, whether it’s out-striking her and being in better positions, or using that against her to be able to get to grappling,” she said.
Beyond her debut, Salcedo already has her sights set on the division’s elite competitors. She’s been watching former three-sport champion Stamp Fairtex, current titleholder Denice Zamboanga, and rising Japanese stars Ayaka Miura and Chihiro Sawada with particular interest.
“There’s a couple different Japanese girls, Ayaka Miura and Chihiro Sawada, that I think have been doing really well. They’ve been able to showcase some really good wrestling,” Salcedo notes.
“I would love to match up with one of them in the near future.”
Her competition philosophy centers on creating an uncomfortable pace that forces opponents to match her intensity or succumb to the pressure.
“I’m somebody that’s gonna push the pace,” she said.
“I want to make people uncomfortable. Either they keep up with me or they break. Either way, it’s going to be entertaining for the fans.”
