3 Weapons Lara Fernandez Can Use To Beat Janet Todd For Interim Atomweight Muay Thai World Title

Lara Fernandez will bring plenty of positive momentum into the Circle on Friday, July 22.

The surging Spaniard will debut in the co-main event of ONE 159: De Ridder vs. Bigdash, where she will compete against American superstar Janet Todd for the ONE Interim Atomweight Muay Thai World Title.

Todd is already ONE’s atomweight kickboxing queen and has established herself as a top name in the organization.

However, Fernandez is a reigning WBC Muay Thai World Champion and believes she can stop “JT’s” dream of two-sport supremacy. 

Here are three key weapons that could help the 26-year-old newcomer claim the gold for herself in this battle of elite strikers at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

#1 Relentless Gas Tank

Fernandez is 10 years younger than Todd, which could give her the edge when it comes to pushing the pace in their five-round World Title contest. 

The Lone Wolf Fight Team representative demands a lot of her rivals with constant forward pressure and might be able to break Todd’s rhythm in the early running.

But more importantly, Fernandez thinks she can wear down the atomweight kickboxing queen in the later stages of their clash.

She’s renowned for throwing rapid combinations with hard punches and body kicks from the first minute to the last – an intensity that could unsettle the usually commanding American.

Time will tell whether the strategy pays off, but either way, it’s clear the Spanish striker will aim to stay in “JT’s” face.

#2 Damaging Elbows

Fernandez combines her kickboxing-style tempo and pressure with a fully loaded Muay Thai arsenal that utilizes all eight limbs.

Elbow strikes rank among her favorites and often cause significant damage when they connect.

The Toledo native scores well with those sharp elbows in different scenarios, including on the front foot behind her punches or as counters that bend around her foe’s boxing offense. 

Todd has rarely been flustered in her ONE career, but if Fernandez lands a hurtful elbow early, fans might get to see how the veteran reacts to a rare occasion where her back is against the wall.

#3 Going For A Spin

Todd’s technical proficiency and disciplined game plan are always on display in ONE, but she hasn’t dealt with many outside-the-box tactics from her opponents.

At ONE 159, Fernandez will hope to change that by utilizing some of her more unorthodox offensive moves. 

The Spanish phenom has strong fundamentals when throwing her punches, kicks, and elbows, and she’s not afraid to unleash those strikes at the end of a spin if the opportunity presents itself.

Whether it’s spinning heel kicks, spinning backfists, or spinning elbows, she likes to take aim at her foes with an added level of venom and unpredictability. 

This might be another way to disrupt “JT’s” famously methodical attacks.