“I Want This More Than Her” – Smilla Sundell Heading Into World Title Defense Against Natalia Diachkova With Supreme Confidence

Smilla Sundell is ready for a firefight in her next ONE Championship outing, and she understands how dangerous her opponent is. In the main event of ONE Fight Night 22 on Friday, May 3, the ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion will defend her prestigious strap against the surging Natalia Diachkova inside the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 19-year-old champion, who is undefeated in ONE, has been waiting for a new contender to rise in her division and spoke about how she sees their World Title tilt going in a recent interview with ONE Championship.

Smilla Sundell is not underestimating Diachkova

Speaking about her upcoming bout against Natalia Diachkova, the Sundell was unsure how the bout would go. “I watched all her Friday Fights. Very quick finishes in most of them, so it’s very hard to say how it will be if it goes longer than one round. But, yeah, she’s strong and has good boxing,” she said.

Sundell cemented her position in the division when she successfully defended her belt with a third-round stoppage of atomweight Muay Thai queen Allycia Hellen Rodrigues at ONE Fight Night 14 last September.

With her latest win, the 19-year-old phenom is now undefeated in four outings, which includes two finishes and a win under kickboxing rules. Despite having beaten a variety of fighters during her ONE Championship run so far, Sundell isn’t underestimating Diachkova, as she believes every bout is crucial to get right.

“I don’t think any fight is easy at this level, so no, it’s not going to be an easier fight compared to my previous fights. We’ll see in the ring,” she said. Despite the recent run of form, Diachkova is on, Sundell is sure she will win and end her opponent’s streak.

Sundell is determined to end Diachkova’s streak

Diachkova has been on a hot streak since her arrival in the world’s largest martial arts organization at ONE Friday Fights 13 a year ago. She has won all four of her outings and knocked out all but one of her opponents in the first round. “Keralian Lynx’s” latest win, against Chellina Chirino at ONE Friday Fights 55 last month, earned her a six-figure contract to compete on ONE’s main roster.”

Though undeniably dangerous, Sundell explained that she is looking forward to ending her foe’s run of form on May 3rd. “I like stopping people’s streaks. But I think I want this more than her, and that’s why I’ll come out on top,” she said. Who do you think will win in their bout?