Janet Todd feels extra time to prepare for Allycia Hellen Rodrigues was to her benefit

Interim ONE atomweight Muay Thai world champion Janet Todd felt bad when her unification bout with reigning division queen Allycia Hellen Rodrigues late last year did not push through because of COVID-19.

Now, however, 'JT' feels the delay worked to benefit her as she had extra time to prepare for her rescheduled showdown with the Brazilian champion later this month.

The two top atomweight Muay Thai fighters will collide at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video on March 24 in Singapore for the right to be named undisputed world champion.

Speaking to ONE Championship, Janet Todd said she is coming in better prepared and ready for whatever look Rodrigues gives her come fight night.

The veteran Boxing Works affiliate said:

“I think that time has helped me hone some skills that would work against Allycia. But it also allowed me to work more on the creative side of my brain, so that when I do get in a certain situation, I can flow from one movement to the next. So it allows me to move more freely, knowing I have more tools to work with.”

Janet Todd became the interim world champion in July 2022 after topping Spain’s Lara Fernandez by unanimous decision. She was all set to take on Rodrigues later in the year, but the American fighter tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the unification bout to be deferred.

Now fully recovered, 'JT', who is also the atomweight kickboxing queen, is looking to get the job done to become a full-fledged two-sport world champion.

ONE Fight Night 8 will take place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and will be aired live and for free to all Prime Video subscribers in North America.

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Janet Todd recalls botched first booking with Allycia Hellen Rodrigues

Interim ONE atomweight Muay Thai world champion Janet Todd was prepared to face off against reigning title holder Allycia Hellen Rodrigues in a unification bout late last year. Unfortunately, COVID-19 prevented her from doing so.

Following her capture of the interim belt in July 2022, 'JT' was already eyeing becoming the undisputed world champion of the division.

She and Rodrigues were slated to do battle before the year ended, but the Boxing Works fighter contracted the coronavirus in the lead-up.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Janet Todd recalled what happened to her and how she dealt with the medical issues she had:

“I remember bawling my eyes out. And I was just in shock. I didn't believe it. Because the last time I had COVID, I had the body pains fever, and I didn't have any of that. It was just like a stuffy nose, which I thought were allergies, because we were staying at a casino where there's cigarette smoke that I'm not used to.”

The two will now settle the undisputed world title at ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video on March 24 in Singapore.

Janet Todd is one of the most hot-streaking fighters in ONE at the moment, winning seven straight since May 2019.

Rodrigues, for her part, will make her first world title defense after winning the atomweight Muay Thai gold in August 2020. She took a break after being crowned champion to give birth and take care of her son.