‘I’m Not Afraid Of Her’ – Phetjeeja Embracing Underdog Role In World Title Showdown With Anissa Meksen
Ever since she signed to compete in ONE Championship, “The Queen” Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom has been eyeing a shot at World Championship gold.
And after four explosive stoppage victories in four outings, the Thai phenom has the opportunity to realize her dream when she faces Anissa “C18” Meksen for the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title at ONE Friday Fights 46.
That epic clash will take place on the star-studded lineup at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on December 22, with two other World Title bouts also featuring at the biggest ONE Friday Fights event of the year.
“The Queen” was thrilled to get the call to compete at this high-profile show, and she can’t wait to go for gold in front of her compatriots in Bangkok, Thailand.
She told onefc.com:
“My feelings when I knew I was going to fight in the World Title match with Anissa were happy and excited. This is a golden opportunity for me because there are all elite fighters on this card. And there are many Thai fighters. I am excited and honored to be on the same card as them.
“This event is to die for. I want all the fans to come and cheer for me and the other Thai fighters who fight on December 22. We will celebrate the new champions together – let’s go!”
Despite having the support of a home crowd behind her, Phetjeeja isn’t in for an easy night.
The 21-year-old Muay Thai star will be facing one of the greatest stand-up martial artists in history and will be fighting in Meksen’s favored rule set.
Meanwhile, “The Queen” will be competing in kickboxing for the first time, but with her world-class striking skills and vast experience – including an incredible 206-6 career record – she feels confident about the task ahead.
Phetjeeja said of her move to a new sport:
“I wanted to fight Anissa because she is one of the best strikers in the world. But I believe I can take her down. I’m not afraid of her because I believe in my training.
“I realize that I’m an underdog when it comes to this fight with Anissa, both physically and with the experience in kickboxing – because it’s my first time in kickboxing while she is number one in her division – but I don’t want to worry much. I’ll do my best.
“I can’t say it’s going to be difficult or easy. But I don’t see any problems. When I practice kickboxing, it’s flowing smoothly. It’s perfect.”
Phetjeeja Promises ‘Fiery’ Battle With Anissa Meksen
Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom is well aware that Anissa Meksen is one of the most dangerous strikers on the planet.
After all, the 35-year-old French-Algerian icon is a decorated seven-time Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion with a phenomenal 103-5 professional slate.
With that in mind, “The Queen” has done her homework so she can be prepared for anything at ONE Friday Fights 46:
“What I’ve learned from watching and studying [Meksen’s] videos is that she is good at almost everything. She can attack whether she moves forward or backward. She has good punches and kicks. She also has good hooks and combinations. And she is really strong. She also has quick footwork to step in and out.
“I have to watch for her punches and kicks. Her low kick is really fast. But not as dangerous as her fists.”
Still, as an athlete on a tear with a string of fallen opponents in her wake, Phetjeeja also feels like Meksen must be just as careful in their matchup.
For her part, the WMC Muay Thai World Champion is a concussive puncher with nonstop aggression that most of her opponents haven’t been able to handle.
By believing in herself and going after Meksen from the opening bell, Phetjeeja knows she has what it takes to compete in their tantalizing World Championship encounter.
She added:
“Meksen might be very fast, a tough fighter to fight with, but we are trying to find a way to deal with that. My training has been focused on increasing my speed. I don’t think I’m slower than her in terms of speed because I used to be a boxer.
“My plan is that I will never back down. I will try to get close to her and give her some low kicks and combine that with punching and high kicks.
“I believe in my fighting spirit and training. If she is strong, all I need to do is work harder to get stronger than her. And I want to beat her badly.
“Right now, I can’t say much. We need to find it out in the ring, but this is going to be a fiery fistfight.”
