‘I’m The Only One In The World Who Can Beat Phetjeeja’ – Kana Embraces Massive Opportuity At 172
Japanese superstar Kana “Krusher Queen” Morimoto is sure that she can accomplish what no woman in ONE – and almost nobody in history – has done by defeating Thai phenom “The Queen” Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom.
On Sunday, March 23, the pair will square off for Phetjeeja’s ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang, live from Japan’s Saitama Super Arena on pay-per-view.
A former K-1 Champion who has spent nearly all of her decade-long professional career competing in Japan, Kana has cemented herself as one of her country’s top strikers and a true fan favorite, thanks to her absurd one-touch knockout power.
She will now look to add 26 pounds of ONE gold to her trophy case, and she’ll be doing it on a blockbuster fight card of epic proportions.
The 32-year-old recently spoke to onefc.com ahead of ONE 172:
“This is a huge opportunity, and I will win the ONE Championship belt in Japan. I truly believe I’m the only one in the world who can beat Phetjeeja, so I have to win.”
Kana will bring a heavy-handed, power-punching approach that Phetjeeja has yet to experience in ONE, and likely hasn’t faced over the course of her 214-fight career.
The Japanese challenger is quick to heap well-deserved praise on the titleholder, who has looked nothing short of phenomenal through six appearances in ONE and holds a remarkable 208-6 professional slate.
Still, Kana is confident that her show-stopping power will help her dethrone “The Queen”:
“Phetjeeja is skilled in kickboxing and Muay Thai, making her a complete athlete. She has a high fighting IQ and a wide range of fighting styles, so I truly see her as a perfect athlete.
“Of course, the stronger my opponent, the higher my motivation. I think Phetjeeja is a well-rounded athlete who can do everything, but I believe my knockout power in a single strike is superior to hers.”
Kana knows that Phetjeeja and the ONE World Title represent the absolute pinnacle of kickboxing.
Despite racking up countless accolades and accomplishments outside of ONE, “Krusher Queen” insists that her career isn’t complete until she’s wearing the most prestigious belt in the sport.
With her hotly anticipated World Title shot now just weeks away, she’s thinking about what winning the ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title would mean:
“I believe ONE Championship is the biggest organization in the world. If I win the kickboxing belt, I think that will be the ultimate accomplishment for me.”
Kana Expects ‘Incredible’ Atmosphere At Saitama Super Arena
Kana Morimoto’s World Title bout against Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom will mark her first fight in Japan in a year and a half, and she’s understandably excited to compete in front of an adoring home-country crowd.
She’s particularly excited to fight in one of the most iconic venues in all of combat sports. There’s something indescribably special about Saitama Super Arena, she said:
“Saitama Super Arena is the venue for major martial arts events. It’s hard to explain. When a fight happens there, the atmosphere is incredible, and the cheers from the crowd are unbelievably loud. It’s hard to put into words, but when the arena is packed, it gets insanely exciting.”
“Krusher Queen” has twice competed and twice emerged victorious at Saitama Super Arena.
At ONE 172, she’ll have her chance to stay unbeaten at the historic venue, defeat one of the most dominant World Champions in all of striking, and exhibit the power of Japanese women in martial arts.
Kana added:
“I’m happy to be part of this event in which Japan’s top athletes are fighting. I’m also the only female Japanese athlete in the event, which makes it even more special for me.
“I believe this is a great opportunity to showcase Japanese female athletes to the world, and I feel a strong responsibility to demonstrate the strength of Japanese martial artists on this stage.”
