‘The Belt Missing From My Collection’ – Anissa Meksen Aims For Coveted ONE World Title Against Phetjeeja

French-Algerian striking legend Anissa “C18” Meksen is determined to add a prestigious piece of gold to her stacked trophy case.

On December 22, Meksen will get that opportunity when she battles Thai phenom “The Queen” Phetjeeja for the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title live in Asia primetime at ONE Friday Fights 46: Tawanchai vs. Superbon.

That World Title contest will take place at the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, and will be Meksen’s first fight in over a year.

Widely regarded as one of the top pound-for-pound women’s strikers in history, the 35-year-old veteran isn’t worried about the long layoff.

She told onefc.com that, despite her time away from the ring, she’s kept up a strict training regimen: 

“I’m very happy to have the title shot against a strong opponent. Even if I haven’t fought for more than one year, I train every day because I love what I do.

“And I feel very strong. I do a lot of sparring to push myself every time, and I feel so good now. I can’t wait to be at the event.”

For “C18,” a shot at 26 pounds of ONE Championship gold has been a long time coming.

She’s been eyeing a ONE World Title ever since joining the organization back in 2021. Already a seven-time Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion across a number of top promotions, Meksen knows she still needs this accolade to complete her iconic career.

With that in mind, the Phuket Fight Club representative is relieved to finally have her chance – and she’s happy it’s coming against such a dangerous opponent:

“I waited for the World Title shot for more than three years. That’s why it’s a lot of sacrifice for me. It’s like a dream, you know, because this is the belt missing from my collection.

“That’s why I pushed myself a lot for the training camp, and I trained like crazy, you know? It’s my dream, simply. She’s strong, of course, and I’m strong too. And we make a big, big fight, for sure.”

Meksen Respects Phetjeeja: ‘It Will Be A War’

With a dazzling 103-5 professional striking record, Anissa Meksen has enough experience to know it would be unwise to look past Phetjeeja, who is making her pro kickboxing debut in their matchup on December 22.

After all, the 21-year-old Thai owns more than 200 career Muay Thai wins and is undefeated across four ONE Championship appearances – including two highlight-reel knockouts at ONE Friday Fights that earned her a six-figure contract with the organization.

Never one to leave anything up to chance, Meksen has done her homework on “The Queen.”

But while she respects her foe’s skills and kicking game, “C18” is confident that her own background in the sport of kickboxing will be pivotal in carrying her to victory.

The France native added:

“She’s very strong and has good leg kicks. This makes the first fight in kickboxing [for Phetjeeja], so it’s different rules, and it’s my discipline, my sport.

“I respect her because she has good skills and she is a strong opponent, but she never faced a girl like me. That’s why it will be a war.”