Anissa Meksen Vs. Kana: 4 Keys To Victory In Kickboxing Showdown At ONE Friday Fights 92
Two of kickboxing’s most decorated competitors are set to throw down at ONE Friday Fights 92: Sitthichai vs. Shadow, as former ONE World Title challenger Anissa “C18” Meksen takes on Japanese icon Kana “Krusher Queen” Morimoto in an atomweight bout that’s been years in the making.
That showdown will take place this Friday, December 20, in Asia primetime at the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Given each woman’s ample experience at the world-class level and their incredible technical abilities, fans should buckle up for a beautiful display of well-rounded and explosive striking.
These are each fighter’s biggest keys to victory.
#1 Meksen’s Endless Combination Striking
If there’s one single trait that defines Meksen’s legendary game, it’s her dynamic and relentless combination striking.
Whether she’s stringing together kicks into punches or punches into kicks, “C18” rarely throws the same combination twice, always keeping her opponents guessing and disoriented.
These unpredictable combinations, coupled with her absurdly fast pacing, should pay dividends against Kana.
While the Japanese athlete is an undeniably elite talent, defense is not her strongest suit, and Meksen will look to dismantle her relatively loose and open guard with an onslaught of combinations.
#2 Kana’s Show-Stopping Power
A former four-time K-1 Champion, Kana has proven time and time again to be one of kickboxing’s most devastating pound-for-pound knockout artists. That massive power – in both her hands and feet – should play a pivotal role in her much-anticipated ONE debut.
Despite her diminutive size, “Krusher Queen” is a certified heavy hitter, boasting highlight-reel finishes in each of her last four victories.
Fans can expect to see Kana take her time early before loading up on big shots as the fight progresses. And if any of those blows land, she might become the first woman to stop the French-Algerian star in nearly 10 years.
#3 Meksen’s Dynamic Kicking Game
At 36 years old and a seven-time Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion before joining ONE, Meksen is continuing to evolve as a fighter. In recent years, she’s developed a complex and hard-to-read kicking game that blends a wide variety of lower-body strikes.
The hallmark of her kicking arsenal is its versatility. “C18” is equally dangerous with traditional round kicks to the legs and body as she is with more exotic techniques like the question mark kick.
What’s more, she often strings her kicks together in unique combinations – an approach that should work well against the relatively stationary Kana.
#4 Kana’s Body Shots
If she wants to slow down or even finish her foe at ONE Friday Fights 92, “Krusher Queen” should do exactly what she’s done throughout her decorated career – invest heavily in body work.
The 32-year-old loves to rip big hooks to the ribs and unleash soul-stealing body kicks. Sometimes, these big body shots lead to the knockout blow upstairs, but given her incredible power, they can also end the fight on their own.
Against the speedy and fleet-footed Meksen, Kana should go to the body early and often.
