Allycia Hellen Rodrigues To Defend World Title Against Marie McManamon At ONE Fight Night 29; Shir Cohen Out Injured
There’s been a shake-up in the main event of ONE Fight Night 29 on Prime Video, but reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues will still be defending her gold.
On March 7 in U.S. primetime, talented rising star Marie McManamon will make her ONE debut on short notice to challenge for the coveted World Title at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
McManamon will be replacing surging Israeli contender Shir Cohen, who suffered an injury during her preparations for ONE Fight Night 29.
Brazilian superstar Rodrigues has dominated the atomweight Muay Thai division since she made her stunning ONE Championship debut back in 2020, dethroning then-World Champion Stamp Fairtex to capture the belt.
After her crowning moment, the Phuket Fight Club representative stepped away from competition due to pregnancy and the birth of her first child.
Rodrigues then returned to action in 2023 and scored a sensational five-round decision victory over then-interim queen Janet Todd to unify the belts and once again become the undisputed ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion.
The 26-year-old subsequently suffered a defeat in her bid for the women’s strawweight Muay Thai gold, but last March at ONE Fight Night 20, she returned to atomweight and successfully defended her crown against decorated Spaniard Cristina Morales.
Despite the late change of opponent at ONE Fight Night 29, Rodrigues is still in for an extremely difficult test.
Competing out of the famed Knowlesy Academy – home to current ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty – McManamon has spent the past several years collecting titles while firmly establishing herself as the UK’s top atomweight Muay Thai fighter.
A smooth technician with a gritty clinch game and a deep gas tank, McManamon has the skills needed to drag Rodrigues into deep waters and overwhelm her with a high-volume, fast-paced attack.
The World Champion, meanwhile, will look to employ her forward-marching style, dangerous close-range weaponry, and elite fight IQ to ensure that she leaves Bangkok with the gold.
Stay tuned to onefc.com for more news about ONE Fight 29: Rodrigues vs. McManamon on March 7.
