ONE Friday Fights 143 Main Event Result: Vero Weathers Shir Cohen’s Storm To Claim Split-Decision Win
Vero “The Kayan Leopard’s” composure and world-class counter-striking were the difference in her tightly contested ONE Friday Fights 143 main event battle against fellow contracted star, Shir Cohen, helping her claim a split decision on February 20 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Their Asia primetime atomweight Muay Thai battle was fireworks from start to finish. When the bell sounded, the Israeli brought the fight to the Myanmar slugger at a ridiculous pace with big combinations.
But the 29-year-old kept her composure, reading the pressure and using lateral movement to create angles. Whenever Cohen pressed too hard and jammed herself up in close range, “The Kayan Leopard” made her pay, timing the clinch and driving knees into Cohen’s body to neutralize the aggression.
Cohen came out just as hungry in the second round, but the Tiger Muay Thai representative found her rhythm right off the bat. As she flung combinations, Vero slipped and responded with crisp punches that accumulated damage.
It was still anyone’s fight heading into the final frame. Cohen’s confidence was second to none, but Vero’s ability to drive away the Fairtex Training Center athletes’ offense with her counters were effective.
The Israeli continued to dig deep, raising her volume and refusing to let the Myanmarese settle. Despite having her back consistently against the ropes, Vero stuck to her counters and used Cohen’s forward momentum against her.
At the end of the nine-minute limit, two of the three judges at ringside awarded the contest in favor of Vero, who nudged her all-striking record to 30-4 and made it three back-to-back wins on the global stage.
It also positions her for a possible shot at the winner of the upcoming ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title fight between divisional queen Allycia Hellen Rodrigues and Phetjeeja at ONE Fight Night 41 on Prime Video on Friday, March 13.
