Allycia Hellen Rodrigues vs. Janet Todd: 4 Keys To Victory In World Title Unification Fight
This Friday, March 24, Allycia Hellen Rodrigues and Janet Todd will finally have their chance to determine the undisputed queen of ONE’s atomweight Muay Thai division.
Set for the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 8 on Prime Video, this long-awaited World Title unification fight is a can’t-miss showcase for fans of elite striking.
Rodrigues captured the ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title back in 2020, upsetting Thai superstar Stamp Fairtex in her promotional debut. But the Brazilian has stayed out of action since then – giving birth to her first child – prompting the creation of an interim belt.
Then in July 2022 at ONE 159, Todd defeated Lara Fernandez to win the interim crown, setting up a massive showdown with Rodrigues.
Before they square off at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, we look at the biggest keys to victory for each woman as they seek to unify the golden belts.
#1 Rodrigues’ Potent Left Kick
The Brazilian star’s single best weapon is her left round kick, which she will typically throw a dozen or more times per round – always with ruthless intent.
In her World Title-winning performance against Stamp, the 24-year-old let her left kick fly from the opening bell, regularly landing it to the liver in response to any forward movement.
By throwing that thunderous strike on the counter, Rodrigues was not only able to stop Stamp dead in her tracks but also rack up damage that would leave the Thai exhausted by the final frame.
Against Todd, the reigning atomweight Muay Thai queen would be wise to throw her punishing left kick to the body frequently, particularly when her foe attacks with punches and exposes her ribs.
#2 Todd’s Pinpoint Counter-Punches
The American is one of the world’s most well-rounded strikers, but she tends to do her best work with her hands, especially when she’s throwing them on the counter.
Whether it’s a check left hook or a straight right hand down the middle, Todd’s counter-punches nearly always find a home on her opponent’s chin.
These strikes should be effective against her fellow World Champion’s forward movement. As Rodrigues marches forward, watch for “JT” to unleash her trademark counter-strikes with brutal efficiency and deceptive power.
#3 Rodrigues’ Vicious Elbow Strikes
The Phuket Fight Club representative is an elite close-range fighter and possesses some of the most dangerous elbows in Muay Thai. Naturally, those elbow strikes are likely to play a pivotal role against Todd.
For Rodrigues, the elbow is much more than just a way to score points inside the clinch. With her elite understanding of distance, she can land them whether she’s lunging in, moving backward, or tied up.
When she battles “JT” this Friday, look for the Brazilian to counter her opponent’s crafty boxing with devastating elbow shots as she moves inside punching range.
#4 Todd’s Blazing Speed
“JT might be the fastest women’s striker on the planet, and it shows in everything she does inside the Circle – from her hand speed to her lightning-fast kicks to her fluid footwork.
More than any single strike, Todd’s ability to work at a faster pace than her opponent is her most useful overall weapon.
The 37-year-old will hold a speed advantage over Rodrigues, both in terms of striking speed and footwork. That edge will be critical when it comes to dealing with her younger foe’s constant forward pressure and powerful shots.
