‘I Respect Her So Much’ – Olivia Bahsous Squashes Beef With Malia Weaver After Emphatic TKO

Olivia “Diamond” Bahsous had plenty to say to Malia Weaver before their highly anticipated showdown last week, but after securing another spectacular victory, the Canadian teenager offered nothing but respect for her American rival.

The 16-year-old striking prodigy stopped Weaver via second-round TKO in their 102-pound Muay Thai clash at The Inner Circle 35 on Friday, October 16, broadcasting live from Bangkok’s historic Lumpinee Stadium and made available to The Inner Circle members at live.onefc.com.

Their bitter social media rivalry generated considerable attention, with Bahsous promising a violent knockout and Weaver determined to make a massive statement in her promotional debut. Ultimately, Bahsous backed up her supreme confidence with an emphatic stoppage, flawlessly extending her perfect finishing record in ONE Championship to three victories in as many appearances.

The Canadian told onefc.com:

“My game plan was to go there and show all my skills, to show that I am an amazing female fighter and that I can fight any style, whether it’s controlled, whether it’s aggression, whether it’s boxing, whether it’s kicking.

“I’m a full fighter, and anybody ONE Championship puts in front of me, I’ll be able to adapt and put on a great show for everybody.”

That dominant performance also fulfilled a bold promise Bahsous made throughout the fiery buildup to their encounter.

The three-time IFMA Junior World Champion repeatedly expressed her absolute intention to finish Weaver, and she remains completely determined to preserve her flawless finishing rate on the global stage.

She explained:

“I expect to knock out any of my opponents. You guys might think that’s cocky, but I’m just really confident in myself and my skills.

“But I love all my opponents, and hopefully everybody I fight will be okay. I just love going in the ring and having fun.”

However, the intense competitive hostility that defined their rivalry immediately disappeared once the contest was officially over.

Although Bahsous had taken Weaver’s viral online challenges personally and promised to punish her inside the ring, she was quick to graciously acknowledge the American’s courage and express warm hopes for her fellow 16-year-old’s future.

Bahsous said:

“Even though the beef got a little heated between me and Malia, I respect her so much. After the fight, I felt really bad, and I really hope that she heals well and will be able to continue fighting if that is her goal and if that’s her dream.

“I hope all her dreams come true.”

Bahsous Eyes Main-Roster Contract And World Title Glory

With three brutal finishes in as many ONE Championship appearances, Olivia Bahsous firmly believes she is moving closer to the life-changing US$100,000 main-roster contract that drives so many rising stars on the weekly circuit.

Her latest dominant victory improved her stellar professional record to 18-1, significantly strengthening her claim as one of the most exciting young stars in the Muay Thai ranks.

The Canadian said:

“Hopefully that big contract is close and within reach. That is definitely one step closer.

“When I get that, I’m definitely one step closer to being a three-time ONE Championship World Champion in three different divisions.”

Her massive ambitions stretch far beyond simply securing a place on ONE’s main roster.

Bahsous dreams of capturing multiple World Titles and using her rapidly growing platform to inspire other young girls to fearlessly pursue their passions. As a proud Palestinian-Canadian whose parents were refugees, she also hopes to eventually compete in Qatar and proudly represent her heritage in front of fans in the Middle East.

She explained:

“I have a 100 percent finish rate, and I plan on keeping that 100 percent finish rate. But my biggest dream is to be able to inspire girls around the world, no matter where they come from, that they can dream big too.

“Because I’m a Palestinian refugee to refugee parents, and it would be a dream come true if Mr. Chatri [Sityodtong] could let me fight in Qatar.”