Both fighters injured themselves. Both had to rebuild. Now, weeks after the most anticipated women’s striking matchup of the year faced a delay, the fight happens.

Allycia Hellen Rodrigues defends the ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title against ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Queen” Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom in the main event of The Inner Circle 19 on Friday, June 19, streaming live for members from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The bout was originally booked for ONE Fight Night 41 in March before injuries to both fighters forced a postponement.

Rodrigues suffered inflammation in both legs so severe it prevented her from running or kicking. She spent a month and a half away from training, undergoing medication and physical therapy, before returning to full preparation.

She used the additional recovery time to come back sharper, more complete, and with her full team assembled around her for the first time heading into this matchup.

“I ended up having inflammation in both of my legs, which was preventing me from running, kicking, or doing anything that created impact,” she said.

“I had to take about a month and a half off, along with medication and physical therapy, to recover. I believe it was caused by training itself.”

Allycia Hellen Rodrigues eyes fifth defence

Allycia Hellen Rodrigues now enters the rematch camp having sharpened every weapon in her arsenal. The Phuket Fight Club affiliate believes she is superior to Phetjeeja in the areas that will matter most. Her clinch game has long been the defining feature of her reign, and she feels the extra preparation has added another dimension to her game.

“I was already feeling very good during the first training camp, but now I feel even better and more prepared. I also have my entire team with me now,” she said.

“In my last two fights, I got good finishes, but I feel much more complete than her in Muay Thai, especially in the clinch game.”

Rodrigues has studied the limited tape that exists of Phetjeeja in full Muay Thai competition. She sees a boxing-heavy style that she has been specifically preparing to handle, and she backs herself to dictate terms in the pocket as well as the clinch.

A successful defence would be her fifth and would represent a landmark moment in one of the most dominant reigns women’s striking has seen. After this, her attention turns to a new challenge entirely.

“After this fight, my focus will return to MMA. I believe my next fight will be my MMA debut. I’m very excited for this new journey as well,” she said.

“I’ll go back to MMA training, and I hope to make my debut by the end of the year. I’m not in a hurry to fight the best right away. I want to gain experience with each fight until I feel ready.”