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Andrew Whitelaw

Johanna Persson has always had a competitive streak – it just didn’t always serve her well.
“I wasn’t so good at football,” she said with a laugh. “I was more into kicking my opponents than kicking the ball.”
A few red cards later, the Swede finally found a better outlet for her aggression.
On Saturday, the 30-year-old will challenge Allycia Hellen Rodrigues for the ONE atomweight Muay Thai world title in the main event of ONE Fight Night 33 at Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium.
It will be her promotional debut and the biggest night of her career.


“Of course she’s the best,” Persson said of Rodrigues. “She’s defended the belt four times.
“But every fight I’ve had is one step up. This is the top level, and this is where I want to be.”
Persson discovered Muay Thai seven years ago, almost by accident.
“I started because I wanted some exercise,” she recalls. “But I had my first fight only three months in – and after that I was really hooked.
“Since then I’ve basically been in fight camp for seven years.”
The self-proclaimed “Elbow Queen” is known for her no-nonsense style – a gritty, forward-marching approach that prioritises damage over beauty.
“I like to push forward and I like to be in the ring,” she said. “I’m not here to make a beautiful fight – I’m here to fight.”
That mindset has been shaped not just by instinct, but also by fighters she respects, like Seksan Or Kwanmuang. Nicknamed “The Man Who Yields to No One”, Seksan is revered for one of the most all-action, fan-friendly styles in the sport.
He never takes a backwards step, and Persson sees him as a kind of gold standard.
Persson will be wearing four-ounce (113 grams) gloves for the first time in her career, something many strikers take time to adjust to.
“I think I’ll enjoy that very much,” she said. “The less I have on me, the better.”

Rodrigues is coming off a first-round TKO win and has ruled the division since beating Stamp Fairtex in 2020. Persson knows exactly what she is up against but is not intimidated.
“She’s going to be prepared,” Persson said. “And I don’t expect anything else.
“I want to fight the best – and she’s the best right now.”
Her training camp has taken place in Thailand, with her coach from Sweden joining her to help oversee preparations.
“I feel really safe with him here,” she said. “We’ve had a good camp.”
Despite the high stakes, Persson is determined to soak in the moment. She has spent time mentally rehearsing everything from the walkout to the final bell.
“I’m trying to visualise everything – from walking to the ring to the first seconds of the fight, the rounds, all that stuff,” she said. “I just want to enjoy the moment.
“Because how many times will this happen to me? I don’t know.”
When asked if she feels destined to do something special in the sport, her answer was simple and assured.
“This is what I’m supposed to do,” she said. “I feel so at home in the ring, and when I’m training.
“It would mean everything for me to win the title. If I can bring it back to my country, I’ll be so proud.”


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Johanna Persson is preparing to headline ONE Fight Night 33 with her fight against Allycia Hellen Rodrigues. Photo: ONE Championship

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Sport

Martial Arts

Johanna Persson prepares for ONE atomweight Muay Thai world title fight against Allycia Hellen Rodrigues in ONE Fight Night 33 main event


Johanna Persson prepares for ONE atomweight Muay Thai world title fight against Allycia Hellen Rodrigues in ONE Fight Night 33 main event.


Seksan Or Kwanmuang

Stamp Fairtex

Allycia Hellen Rodrigues

‘I couldn’t play football, I preferred kicking rivals than ball’ – ONE Championship star

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Johanna Persson prepares for ONE atomweight Muay Thai world title fight against Allycia Hellen Rodrigues in ONE Fight Night 33 main event

Johanna Persson prepares for ONE atomweight Muay Thai world title fight against Allycia Hellen Rodrigues in ONE Fight Night 33 main event