5 Burning Questions Ahead of ONE Fight Night 33: Rodrigues Vs. Persson

On July 11 in U.S. primetime, the world’s largest martial arts organization will return to the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok for another blockbuster evening loaded with electrifying bouts.

Headlined by a highly anticipated battle for the ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title, ONE Fight Night 33: Rodrigues vs. Persson on Prime Video will go down before an electric Thai audience craving world-class martial arts action.

As the excitement reaches a crescendo, here are five burning questions that will be answered when the ONE superstars step into the ring on Friday night.

#1 Could Persson End Rodrigues’ Nearly 5-Year Reign?

Since August 2020, Allycia Hellen Rodrigues has reigned over the women’s atomweight Muay Thai division with an iron fist.

The Brazilian mom-champ has turned away every single person who has challenged her for the crown, and she is one victory away from ushering in her fifth year on the throne.

But Johanna Persson believes that she can be the striker to take the gold away from her.

The Swede is entering the main event of ONE Fight Night 33 with a head full of steam. She is riding a seven-bout winning streak and confidently steps into the contest off her WBC Muay Thai World Title-winning performance.

Persson has overwhelmed her opponents with her forward-pressure style and aggressive boxing prowess, and she is determined to throw her elbows en route to victory.

She has the confidence, skills, and momentum on her side, and the global fan base will find out if that’s enough on Friday.

#2 Which Fighter Will Inch Closer To A World Title Bout With Tawanchai?

The race to challenge ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai for the gold is on, and the co-main event athletes who will be competing at ONE Fight Night 33 could be the leading contenders to fill that slot.

After falling in his promotional debut in February 2024, Shadow Singha Mawynn caught fire. The 22-year-old won his next five bouts, including victories over former ONE World Title challenger Jimmy Vienot and a living legend in Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, to finally win a life-changing six-figure contract with ONE Championship and main roster spot.

Currently the #3-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender, Shadow seems unstoppable. He possesses the technical skills, power, and endurance to be a threat to anyone on any given night.

Similarly, the 6-foot-2 Algerian monster known as Mohamed Younes Rabah enters the contest as the biggest man in the division, and his massive power, speed, and fluid movement makes him dangerous every second of the fight.

“The Eagle,” as he is called, was flawless in his career until former ONE World Title challenger Saemapetch Fairtex knocked him out in their bantamweight Muay Thai rematch. But Rabah made some key changes, including moving up in weight so he could perform at his absolute best – and it showed as he defeated battle-hardened American striker Eddie “Silky Smooth” Abasolo last November.

Both Shadow and Rabah are frightening additions to the stacked featherweight Muay Thai division. A highlight-reel finish would certainly have the winner knocking on the door of a World Title opportunity.

#3 Can Dauev Win His Second MMA Fight In Five Weeks?

One man’s loss is another man’s gain, and Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin‘s protege Ibragim Dauev has a chance to build even more momentum.

After #4-ranked featherweight MMA contender Ilya Freymanov was forced to withdraw from his battle with second-generation MMA fighter Pedro “Guerreiro” Dantas at ONE Fight Night 33, the Russian answered the call with the hopes of capitalizing on a wonderful opportunity.

Last month at ONE Fight Night 32, Dauev engaged in an all-out war with his then-undefeated compatriot Magomed Akaev and gave him his first career loss via split decision.

But instead of taking some time to rest and enjoy life on a tropical resort, he jumped back into training camp for a chance to earn his second victory over an undefeated MMA fighter in two weeks.

Dantas is a well-rounded athlete with youth on his side and a 100 percent finishing rate.

So, if the Russian rising star can topple yet another stud within two months, then he would elevate his profile to new heights.

#4 Will Featherweight Be Too Much For Dayakaev?

For most of his ONE Championship tenure, Abdulla Dayakaev has mostly competed in the bantamweight Muay Thai division or accepted catchweight bouts maybe two pounds above the current limit.

So far, it has been the ideal weight categories for the Russian hard-hitter, as he has gone 7-1 in his promotional campaign. His latest conquest – a second-round TKO over former ONE World Title challenger Saemapetch Fairtex in May – was so impressive that it landed him the #5 spot in the bantamweight Muay Thai rankings.

But Dayakaev isn’t satisfied. He is the type of athlete who wants to challenge himself, and that’s what he is going to get at ONE Fight Night 33.

The 23-year-old has decided to move up in weight to test his skills in the featherweight Muay Thai division, where there are bigger fighters with incredible horsepower.

There is his Team Mehdi Zatout stablemate Rabah, as well as his upcoming opponent Nontachai Jitmuangnon, who already talked about his size advantage.

Dayakaev will undoubtedly be smaller compared to his Thai rival and others in the featherweight ranks, but if the Russian can emerge victorious on Friday, then he would solidify himself as a legitimate two-division threat.

#5 Will Rust Be A Factor For Sangiao?

Jhanlo Mark “The Machine” Sangiao‘s performance at ONE Fight Night 33 will actually answer quite a few questions.

The Team Lakay prince seemed invincible when he kick-started his MMA career, winning his first six professional matches in the opening stanza.

Life was good, and by his own admission, he was “playing around.” And then in August 2023, he ran into #4-ranked bantamweight MMA contender Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu, who handed the Filipino his first professional loss.

That served as a wake-up call to Sangiao, who spent the next two years leveling up his arsenal and preparing his Team Lakay stablemates for battle. 

Now, the 23-year-old returns to the global stage for the first time in nearly two years, and he’ll face explosive Mongolian striker Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg.

Fans are waiting to see how he’ll perform following his first-ever defeat and how slick his enhanced skills truly are. And if Sangiao can prove that rust isn’t a factor, then he could truly say that he’s ready for another top-five contender.

Source