Ayaka Miura Returns Against Victoria Souza In Pivotal MMA Match At ONE Fight Night 45
Japanese MMA star Ayaka “Zombie” Miura and Brazilian sensation Victoria “Vick” Souza have a chance to rebuild their momentum toward World Title gold at ONE Fight Night 45 on Prime Video.
The two women’s atomweight contenders will make the brief move up to the strawweight division for this pivotal clash, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, July 17.
Miura, a third-degree judo black belt who is considered “The Queen of the Scarf-Hold Americana,” enters ONE Fight Night 45 desperate to jump back into the win column.
The 35-year-old Tokyo native, who owns 16 career wins with a 69 percent finishing rate, was within striking distance of a ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title shot.
But at ONE SAMURAI 1 this past April, Miura’s Japanese compatriot Chihiro Sawada forced her to tap out via armbar and instantly snapped the impressive five-bout winning streak she had constructed.
That was an emotional loss for Miura, but it ultimately motivated her even more to continue her quest toward the atomweight division’s 26 pounds of gold.
Eager to get the ball rolling, the “Zombie” is briefly returning to her strawweight roots, where she plans to make a loud statement and kick-start a new winning streak.
However, at ONE Fight Night 45, she will stand across the squared circle from an athlete who shares the same determination and thirst for victory.
Souza, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt and three-time Brazilian Kickboxing Champion, had a tough start to life in ONE Championship.
Everything started to change for her in 2024, though. “Vick” submitted Itsuki “Android 18” Hirata in 91 seconds at ONE 167 in June 2024, and then she outclassed American dynamo Alyse “Lil’ Savage” Anderson en route to a unanimous decision at ONE 168 three months later.
Soon thereafter, Souza took a break from competition to give birth to her first child and concentrate on motherhood.
The 28-year-old Brazilian finally made her long-awaited return at ONE Fight Night 41 this past March, but she was knocked out by undefeated Canadian promotional newcomer Anastasia “Anniemale” Nikolakakos with one second remaining in the first round.
Now, a few months removed from that event, Souza looks to bounce back in front of a U.S. primetime audience and earn her 10th career victory.
And, if she were to defeat Miura at ONE Fight Night 45, it would undoubtedly serve as the biggest win of her MMA career and prove that she is a top contender.
Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news about ONE Fight Night 45 on Prime Video.
