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One of the biggest world title unification bouts in ONE Championship history will be taking place this Friday, February 24, at ONE Fight Night 8: Superlek vs Rodtang on Prime Video.
After the birth of her first child, ONE atomweight Muay Thai world champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues is ready to resume her promising career inside the Circle. Standing in her way, however, is the marvelous Janet Todd, who assumed the role of the interim ruler of the division in her absence.
Once the dust settles, only one of these two sensational female strikers will leave the Singapore Indoor Stadium as the undisputed world champion.
For Allycia Hellen Rodrigues, this match is the perfect platform to silence her critics about her lengthy absence. ‘JT’, after all, is arguably the best fighter she’s ever faced so far.
Being treated as an underdog is nothing new for the Brazilian, considering she was in the same position when she dethroned Stamp Fairtex back in 2020. With that in mind, here are Rodrigues’ three biggest keys to victory in her clash with Todd this Friday.
ONE Fight Night 8: Superlek vs Rodtang will air live on US Primetime and free for all existing Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.
#3. Push the pace for five rounds
As Allycia Hellen Rodrigues probably knows by now, Janet Todd is not exactly a fast starter. The Boxing Works star typically uses the early rounds to get a read on her opponents, before turning up the notch as the fight progresses.
The Phuket Fight Club representative, on the other hand, is as ruthless as they come from the opening bell up to the final horn.
If Rodrigues pounces at Todd from the get-go, she’ll prevent her from establishing her rhythm which in turn will disrupt her gameplan.
Being aggressive has never been an issue for Rodrigues. In fact, she even left the usually high-octane Stamp Fairtex shellshocked after being in her face for five full rounds.
While Todd is a more cerebral fighter who will likely slow the pace of the match in her favor, Allycia Hellen Rodrigues’ endless energy and eagerness to enter the pocket should score her some points early on.
#2. Find a home for that brutal left kick
Stamp Fairtex is as tough as nails, but even the Thai megastar could not handle the wrath of Rodrigues’ left round kicks.
The 24-year-old Brazilian tagged the former two-sport world champion time and time again with that deceptively quick kick that left her body battered and bruised.
Allycia Hellen Rodrigues’ attacks eventually took their toll, as Stamp was visibly winded by the final frame.
Against Todd, Rodrigues could employ a similar ploy, since the 37-year-old relies on her movement a lot.
‘JT’ loves to let her hands go with razor-quick boxing combinations. However, that could leave an opening near her mid-section and Rodrigues would be more than happy to take a dig at her exposed ribs using that thumping left kick.
#1. Destroy Janet Todd in close range at ONE Fight Night 8
What makes Allycia Hellen Rodrigues a must-watch fighter is her willingness to get down and dirty just to get the job done.
While most fighters try to run away from danger, the Brazilian bravely attacks head-first and instigates all-out action at close range.
As we’ve seen in her total annihilation of Stamp, Rodrigues thrives on the clinch using the most wicked elbow attacks we’ve ever seen inside the Circle.
It’s not like she’s just aimlessly throwing bombs either. The Phuket Fight Club superstar has a deep understanding of fighting in small spaces.
Whether she’s lunging in, moving forward, or even completely tied up, Rodrigues finds a way to deliver knees and elbows from that distance.
While it may not seem like it, there’s actually a method to her madness.
Todd, of course, would love to make this a technical battle of wits, using her experience to dictate where this fight goes. Even an established fighter like Todd would probably crumble if she gets caught up in Rodrigues’ whirlwind of attacks from the clinch.
