‘Take It To Heart Sometimes’ – Pound-For-Pound Great Phetjeeja Opens Up About Pressure, Criticism, And Vulnerability
To many fans, ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Queen” Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom appears untouchable.
The Thai superstar owns more than 200 career victories and has yet to taste defeat in ONE Championship. Since joining the world’s largest martial arts organization, she has defeated elite opponents such as Janet “JT” Todd, “The Krusher Queen” Kana, and Martyna Dominczak while establishing herself as one of the most accomplished female strikers on the planet.
Now, she aims to become a two-sport World Champion when she challenges Allycia Hellen Rodrigues for the ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title at The Inner Circle 19 on June 19, streaming exclusively at live.onefc.com in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Yet despite all of her success, the 24-year-old insists she experiences the same emotions that affect fighters at every level. In fact, one feeling never disappears.
She said:
“To be completely honest with you, there isn’t a single fight where I don’t get nervous.”
For someone who has spent nearly her entire life competing, the admission may come as a surprise.
Phetjeeja has fought professionally since childhood and competed on some of the biggest stages in combat sports, including against boys. Nearly two decades later, experience alone has never eliminated the anxiety that arrives before a fight.
If anything, the pressure has increased as the stakes have grown.
She explained:
“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 nerves become even more noticeable when she competes in major events.
As one of Thailand’s biggest combat sports stars, every appearance comes with heightened expectations from fans, media, and fellow athletes. Learning how to manage those emotions has become just as important as any technical skill she develops inside the gym at Team Mehdi Zatout.
She said:
“Especially lately, the nerves are there for every fight. There’s no escaping it; it’s just a matter of figuring out how to manage those nerves and calm yourself down.
“If you let the nerves take over and start overthinking, you’re going to freeze up when the bell rings.”
Phetjeeja Admits Social Media Hate Still Gets To Her
Inside the ring, Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom has built her reputation on composure. Outside of it, however, she admits there is one area where she remains vulnerable.
Like many athletes competing under the spotlight, she has struggled at times with negative comments on social media.
The criticism can be difficult to reconcile with the sacrifices she has made throughout her career. Fans often see the victories and belts but rarely the years of preparation and pressure that come before them.
She said:
“I’d say dealing with social media comments.
“When you run into negative comments or hurtful criticism, I have to admit I do take it to heart sometimes, and it can get under my skin pretty quickly.”
Phetjeeja tries not to spend much time reading reactions online.
Still, avoiding criticism entirely is almost impossible when competing at the highest level of the sport.
Even for a ONE World Champion accustomed to handling pressure inside the ring, harsh words from strangers can occasionally leave a lasting impression.
She said:
“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.”
The admission offers a rare glimpse behind the image many fans associate with Phetjeeja.
The woman who appears fearless under the bright lights still feels nerves before every fight. The three-time ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion who has conquered some of the biggest names in combat sports can still be affected by criticism.
Yet rather than allowing those emotions to consume her, she has learned to accept them as part of the journey.
She said:
“Mentally I’m always ready to go.
“The gaps are usually in the technical details – things I haven’t spent enough time drilling or positions I’m not completely comfortable with yet. I just have to keep an open mind and put the work in.”
