Janet Todd Expects The Best Version of Allycia Hellen Rodriguez At ONE Fight Night 5

Janet “JT” Todd’s run in ONE Championship has been exceptional thus far.

After defeating Stamp Fairtex to claim the ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Title in 2020, a fantastic run of form followed that culminated in her capturing the interim atomweight Muay Thai strap against Lara Fernandez this past July.

The American striking superstar will get her chance to unify the atomweight Muay Thai belts when she takes on divisional queen Allycia Hellen Rodriguez at ONE On Prime Video 5: de Ridder vs. Malykhin on Friday, 2nd December.

Rodrigues has only competed in the ONE Circle once before. But that was when she shocked the world by snatching the atomweight Muay Thai crown from Stamp in August 2020.

The Brazilian star then decided to take a break from competing to focus on starting a family.

Despite the long hiatus, “JT” doesn’t expect her upcoming opponent to be rusty at all when they square off.

“I don’t think it’ll be a factor. With the amount of experience she has, and the fact that she fought in ONE Championship before for a title, she’ll remember what that feels like. Just like I had. I didn’t get a fight for a year, and I fought for a title. It’s like you never left,” Todd said. 

“I don’t think that’ll be a big issue to her because of the experience that she has. And just because she had a baby, I doubt she wasn’t thinking about Muay Thai. When you’re involved in the sport that much, it’s very hard to get it out of your head – even with a baby. I’m sure, with the baby, it’s giving you other inspirations to be better. So I’m expecting the best version of her.”

Over a fighting career consisting of precisely 50 fights, Janet Todd has gained the experience to predict her opponent’s output. And with her impending return, the California native expects Rodrigues to throw everything at her as she looks to cement her place atop the stacked division.

That said, she also knows her own game very well. And she’ll be hunting for a finish next Friday night.

“Honestly, I’m anticipating every possible style. You’ve got to train for every possible style. I know I can get my shots in and get out. Or if she’s really coming forward, be able to use that keep away game using my teeps, using my kicks to keep my distance,” Janet said.

“Everybody wants a knockout. But you can’t really search for it during the fight. It has to naturally come. But I’m hoping [to get the knockout] in every fight. This is what I want for myself. It’s just showing that fluidity, movement, and technique, and also showing that I have power with my shots – and just that accuracy.”

The ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Championship unification bout will be settled at ONE On Prime Video 5: de Ridder vs. Malykhin. You can watch at WATCH.ONEFC.COM on Friday, 2nd December at 2am.