Britain’s No. 1-ranked female flyweight striker answered the call to challenge ONE women’s atomweight Muay Thai world champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues in the March 8, event’s headlining bout on just two weeks’ notice, and she showed her mettle inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
McManamon went four full rounds with the Brazilian star before the fight doctor ended the contest to prevent the British-Irish star from suffering further damage.
Despite the defeat, Knowles took to social media to express his pride in his fighter’s efforts.
“Marie McManamon, on just two weeks’ notice, stepped up to face the best on the planet – an incredible display of heart and courage,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Huge congratulations to Allycia and her team – what a champion!”
Given that she trains alongside the likes of ONE bantamweight kickboxing world champion Jonathan Haggerty at Knowlesy Academy and has a reputation on the British striking scene, McManamon’s arrival in ONE Championship was met with plenty of intrigue.
Despite not getting the result she wanted at ONE Fight Night 29, the 34-year-old still walked away with a contract to compete in the promotion and the respect of those watching, so Coach Knowles deemed it a net-positive night overall.
“Marie may not have gotten the win, [but] she gained so much more,” he wrote.
“She earned a contract with the biggest martial arts organization in the world, captured the hearts of the crowd and fans, and gained invaluable experience handling the highest levels of pressure and commitment this sport demands.”
