Smilla “The Hurricane” Sundell

Former ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Smilla Sundell channeled her early desire for self-defense into an impressive career in combat sports.

Born in Stockholm, the Swede began learning karate at 5 years old to protect herself. However, while on a family vacation in Thailand five years later she was introduced to Muay Thai.

When her family decided to stay in Thailand for good, “The Hurricane” threw herself into the country’s national pastime. At first, she trained with her younger sister just for fun. But one day out of nowhere she agreed to a last-minute fight. Having been bitten by the Muay Thai bug, she dedicated herself to mastering the craft — and it paid off.

Sundell eventually became a top-ranked WBC women’s featherweight Muay Thai athlete. What’s more impressive is that she earned the accolade at the age of 16. Her accomplishments caught the attention of ONE Championship, and she joined the organization in 2022.

In her debut, Sundell scored a stunning third-round knockout of Diandra Martin at ONE: FULL CIRCLE. Two months later she defeated Jackie Buntan to win the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title — at just 17 years old no less, becoming the promotion’s youngest-ever World Champion.

Although she was stripped of the belt a day before her main event clash at ONE Fight Night 22 in May 2024 due to missing weight, the Swedish phenom is determined to reclaim the gold she never lost in the ring.