‘It Was Such An Honor’ – Phetjeeja Reflects On World Title Victory In Janet Todd’s Retirement Fight

“The Queen” Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom delivered another impeccable display to unify the ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title in U.S. primetime last Friday, March 8. 

The Thai slugger upgraded her interim belt by defeating defending queen Janet “JT” Todd with an impressive five-round showing in the main event of ONE Fight Night 20 on Prime Video at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 

It was a historic changing of the guard, as 38-year-old Todd confirmed she was hanging up her gloves regardless of the result, while 22-year-old Phetjeeja proved she is the future of the division.  

Although she spoiled Todd’s retirement party, “The Queen” was grateful to share the ring with the former two-sport ONE World Champion for her final dance. 

She told onefc.com afterward:

“It was such an honor to fight Janet Todd in her retirement fight. I’m very happy that I was part of her last fight so she can remember me and I can remember her. It was a historic moment for both of us. 

“Of course, there was a lot of pressure for me because she was also the champion. I just kept telling myself not to think about the fight and not to stress out as much and to just go with the flow.” 

With the win, Phetjeeja has now taken out two of this era’s leading women to put herself atop the kickboxing ladder.  

The Team Mehdi Zatout representative defeated pound-for-pound great Anissa “C18” Meksen to claim the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title in December and then earned the undisputed crown last Friday.  

Amid such a memorable run, “The Queen” is proud to have shared the ring with a pair of legends:

“Both of them are very strong and were both challenging. I can’t compare them and decide which one was the most challenging – they were both challenging in different ways. I’m very happy that I was able to get past both challenges.” 

Phetjeeja Eyes Atomweight Muay Thai Gold

Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom was thrilled to win the ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title, but doing it on the all-female ONE Fight Night 20 card made it even more special. 

Celebrating International Women’s Day in style, “The Queen” headlined the lineup with an epic victory that will be viewed by millions, and she believes it was a great way to show that gender should not restrict anybody from pursuing their dreams. 

She said: 

“I’m happy about my victory but, more importantly, I feel like it’s rare to see women showing others that we can choose any path. It’s important to show that we can choose any career that we love, and it doesn’t have to be anything traditional anymore.

“I loved seeing the confidence of the women coming out and being inspired by us.” 

With two massive scalps on her resume in just a few months, Phetjeeja wants to continue her momentum in the world’s largest martial arts organization. 

And despite holding the kickboxing crown, “The Queen” is a Muay Thai fighter at heart, and she has her eyes on the belt that Allycia Hellen Rodrigues successfully defended on the same night. 

Gunning for the Brazilian’s ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title, Phetjeeja added: 

“I think there’s a high chance of us facing each other soon – World Champion versus World Champion.  

“I think it’s more likely that I’ll go for the Muay Thai belt.”