ONE women’s atomweight kickboxing world champion, “The Queen” Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom of Thailand, has built one of the most dominant reputations in women’s combat sports.
The scrutiny that comes with that level of visibility is something she has had to learn to navigate on her own terms.
Phetjeeja challenges ONE women’s atomweight Muay Thai world champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues in a highly anticipated superfight at The Inner Circle on June 19 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
The Thai superstar enters as one of the most recognized female martial artists in the world. It’s a status that brings loud support but also the kind of online hostility that follows success in any public arena.
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In an exclusive interview with ONE Championship, Phetjeeja admitted that negative public opinion gets to her head from time to time.
“I try to stay off social media and not look at them too often, but if I happen to stumble across a mean or toxic comment, it definitely stings and ruins my mood. But honestly, that just comes with the territory in combat sports. Pretty much all fighters go through it and deal with it at some point.”
Fans can watch her defend her title live by purchasing The Inner Circle at live.onefc.com.
Phetjeeja says the nerves never go away despite her experience
Phetjeeja has been fighting all her life, with over 200 career bouts to her name at just 24 years old. Still, “The Queen” feels the pre-fight anxiety and nerves each time she steps on the global stage.
At the end of the day, the stakes are at their highest each time she enters the ring.
“A lot of people probably assume that since I’ve had over 200 fights, I’m just totally numb to it by now. But for me, the nerves are there every single time. Every fight matters so much to me, so that anxious excitement is always there before I walk out,” the atomweight kickboxing queen told the promotion in the same interview.
Edited by Steffi