ONE Fight Night 8: Allycia Hellen Rodrigues Excited As First World Title Defense Gets Closer

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It's nearly three years since Allycia Hellen Rodrigues walked into enemy territory in Bangkok, Thailand, and snatched the ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title. Life has changed a lot since then, but the Brazilian returns to the Circle in only a matter of weeks.

The 24-year-old will meet current ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Interim Muay Thai World Champion Janet "JT" Todd at ONE Fight Night 8: Bhullar vs. Malykhin on Saturday, March 25, with the former's official atomweight Muay Thai crown up for grabs.

The night that the South American slugger made her debut in ONE Championship also happened to be the last time we would see her compete, when she etched a unanimous decision victory against Stamp Fairtex at ONE: A NEW BREED.

The 35-fight veteran has since been on the sidelines nurturing her firstborn son, Josue, since late 2021. Since entering motherhood, the new chapter of her life has been one she is devoted to.

But while her journey as mother continues, the atomweight queen knows there is still business to handle inside the Circle.

"I certainly had more time to work on some things and improve others that I already felt comfortable doing," Rodrigues said.

"Anxiety is part of it? It's been a long time since my last fight, so the desire to fight is getting stronger. And I try to put that desire more and more into each training session."

Awaiting her return is the American veteran, Todd, and the two have more in common than they might imagine.

While both wear coveted gold in ONE, the two also share the same opponent from whom they snatched it from.

Todd has been a dominant champion since capturing the ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Title from Stamp in the same year that Rodrigues won her gold, and has since been on the chase for Muay Thai glory.

Todd has taken out every name in front of her, most recently in Lara Fernandez to claim the interim Muay Thai strap last June at ONE 159 to earn the chance to double her gold in the Brazilian's absence.

However, despite Todd's activity levels, Rodrigues thinks she has already seen everything that the 37-year-old has to offer, feeling more prepared than ever to hold on to her throne.

"Janet is a dangerous fighter. She has good punches and kicks and is very fast," Rodrigues said.

"I think she's a great striker, but I'm used to that kind of pressure. We're going to fight Muay Thai, and here in Thailand we clinch a lot every day. That's something I'm definitely going to take advantage of over her."

Source: Media Release