“I’m grateful” – Phetjeeja responds to Smilla Sundell's claim that she was her first Muay Thai idol

Reigning ONE atomweight kickboxing world champion Phetjeeja was nothing short of gracious upon hearing the kind remarks from strawweight superstar Smilla Sundell.

Though the two women are separated by a weight class, Sundell and 'The Queen' believe that they will one day step inside the Circle with one another. Speaking about the Thai phenom in a prior interview, Sundell declared that the 208-win veteran was her first idol in the art of eight limbs.

"Of course, I’m grateful to have someone who sees me in high regards," Phetjeeja told Sportskeeds MMA while reacting to Sundell's comments. "I’m very thankful for that."

Smilla Sundell is coming off another big win under the ONE Championship banner, finishing Russian standout Natalia Diachkova in the ONE Fight Night 22 headliner earlier this month. Unfortunately, Sundell still left the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium without her belt as she failed to make weight for the women's strawweight Muay Thai title tilt.

As a result, the title remains vacant until ONE Championship officials book a bout to crown a new queen of the division.

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Phetjeeja has more than earned an opportunity to fight Smilla Sundell

Though she regularly competes at atomweight, could we see the Thai move up in an attempt to claim the vacated crown?

Through six fights with the promotion, 'The Queen' has more than earned the opportunity, should she choose to pursue it. Debuting in March 2023, she immediately made her mark with four straight knockouts against Fani Peloumpi, Ines Pilutti, two-time ISAK champion Lara Fernandez, and Celeste Hansen.

Those victories led her into an interim atomweight kickboxing clash with seven-time titleholder Anissak Meksen in December. Despite a lack of experience in kickboxing, Phetjeeja looked phenomenal in eight-ounce gloves, picking apart Meksen and walking away with her first ONE world title. Three months later, she traded in the interim belt for undisputed gold, besting Janet Todd in a unification clash at ONE Fight Night 20.

Do you want to see Phetjeeja challenge Smilla Sundell to crown a new ONE strawweight Muay Thai world champion?