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After winning the interim atomweight Muay Thai title in July last year, Janet Todd has been scheduled to compete with world champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues in a huge unification clash.
The two titleholders were originally lined-up to face-off with one another at ONE on Prime Video 5 in December. Just a few days before the fight, Todd was forced to withdraw from the contest after testing positive for COVID-19.
After suffering no long-term effects, the fight was rescheduled for ONE Fight Night 8 on March 24. The wait has only increased the anticipation for both women even more.
In a recent interview with the promotion, Todd reflected on the fight’s cancellation:
“It just took me a little bit to kind of get over the fact that I flew 15 and a half hours and trained really hard to get to this point. I made so many sacrifices, and then I didn’t have anything. I couldn’t do anything. I was really devastated. It’s devastating for me.”
Janet Todd will have the opportunity to become an undisputed two-sport world champion, having already dominated the atomweight kickboxing division. Meanwhile, it’s a big date for Allycia Hellen Rodrigues as well.
Since dethroning Stamp Fairtex in 2020, the Brazilian has taken some time away from the sport for the birth of her first child. Whilst she has only fought once under the ONE Championship banner, her debut was so impressive that fans have been eagerly anticipating her return.
Janet Todd hopes to inspire the next generation of martial arts world champions
As a two-sport world champion in ONE Championship, Janet Todd is hoping to use her success and the profile it has given her to inspire female combat sports competitors.
The reigning atomweight kickboxing world champion added the interim Muay Thai belt to her collection last year, setting up a huge world title unification with the returning champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues.
Janet Todd has helped to break down barriers for female competitors throughout her time competing in ONE Championship. The promotion became the first major organization to put on female striking contests and as a result, have paved the way for others to follow thanks to the likes of JT.
In an interview with ONE Championship, she said:
"I hope people can see what I do and say, ‘Yeah, I can do that.’ Or even say, ‘Yeah, I could do that better. I could be the next champion and help the sport grow.’"
Janet Todd also paid tribute to the promotion that has helped her to accomplish her goals by evolving the combat sports world:
"ONE Championship is a great platform, but I hope the sport continues to grow through some of these major promotions like ONE Championship. And, yeah, I hope people get inspired to compete. If I can do it, you can do it."
