“I Need to Level Myself Up” – Phetjeeja Is Ready to Take On the “Difficult Path” Ahead of Her Debut to Shine in ONE Championship

Thai phenom Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom is well aware of the significant amount of hype she’ll bring with her into her atomweight Muay Thai clash against Lara Fernandez at ONE Fight Night 12: Superlek vs. Khalilov on Prime Video. Set to air live in U.S. primetime this Friday from the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, that fight will be the 21-year-old’s first appearance since she earned a six-figure contract with the world’s largest martial arts organization.

Undefeated for the last six years, Phetjeeja shined in a pair of ONE Friday Fights bouts, scoring back-to-back highlight-reel knockouts against elite opposition to secure her spot in the big show.

Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom is eyeing a victory after scoring the ONE Championship contract

For the woman known as “The Queen,” competing under ONE’s bright lights on a blockbuster show is a dream come true. She said, “I was shocked [when I got the contract]. I never thought I could sign a contract with ONE Championship and represent the Thai people to show our national martial art to the world. I want to thank Mr. Chatri [Sityodtong – ONE Chairman and CEO] for offering me the contract.”

And even though she spent the better part of the past 10 years dominating the world-renowned Bangkok Muay Thai scene, she says that her impressive performances in ONE have earned her new levels of recognition and notoriety, “I feel like I’m more recognized now. The kids look up to me as their idol. I’m more well-known among international fans. Sometimes when I go out, I often receive greetings from strangers. That makes me feel good.”

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Despite her run of success, the Lukjaoporongtom athlete knows she’s in for a war this Friday. Her opponent, Fernandez, is a former WBC Muay Thai World Champion, a two-time ISKA Kickboxing World Champion, and a former ONE World Title challenger.

Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom was unfazed by the difficult way ahead of her

Given that lengthy list of accomplishments and her foe’s ultra-aggressive, scrappy style of fighting, Phetjeeja will need to step her game up if she wants to keep her winning streak alive and earn a crack at the ONE Women’s Atomweight World Title.

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She added, “I need to level myself up to be better and better. I believe that if I train hard enough, I have a chance to be on par with all of the other fighters in the division. But this will definitely be a difficult path for me.”