ONE CEO comments on Allycia Hellen Rodrigues’ intent to compete for atomweight kickboxing world title

Following the events of ONE Fight Night 8, ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong revealed that he doesn’t know what is next for Allycia Hellen Rodrigues.

On March 24, the atomweight Muay Thai world champion returned after three years away from competition, unifying the titles in a clash with Janet Todd that has been a long time coming.

Following her emphatic return, which saw her solidify her place as the undisputed world champion. Rodrigues turned her attention to becoming a challenger again. Having defeated Todd in Muay Thai, she showed interest in challenging the American for her atomweight kickboxing world championship next time out.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Sityodtong laid out his current plans for the Brazilian:

“We haven’t thought that far. Obviously, in that division, in any martial art we have the very best in the world and that’s a very exciting division. I was surprised at what Allycia wants to do. I thought she wanted to defend the Muay Thai [world title] a few more times, but we’re open to it. Again, we haven’t thought that far yet.”

Watch the full interview below:

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Allycia Hellen Rodrigues is due for two-sport supremacy

Whilst it wasn’t something that he has thought too much about before ONE Fight Night 8, ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong agreed that Allycia Hellen Rodrigues is deserving of the opportunity to become a two-sport world champion.

After such a long layoff due to giving birth to her first child, Rodrigues is clearly looking to make up for the time that she lost. She proved this point at ONE Fight Night 8, where she walked into the circle and defeated Janet Todd as if no time had passed.

In her post-fight interview with Mitch Chilson, the returning champ made her future intentions clear. She is looking to face Todd again, but this time in the role of the challenger:

“The next step of course is I want to fight for the world title in kickboxing, but I know I need to wait. But I’ll be ready, whenever you want I’ll be here."

Whilst it makes sense for the Brazilian world champion, Chatri Sityodtong said that he believed she would be lining up a few title defenses first.

Another woman whom she has already beaten is also positioning herself for a rematch, with Stamp Fairtex planning to return to Muay Thai in the near future and avenge her loss to Rodrigues.