For Allycia Hellen Rodrigues, the sound of paws on the floor is equally as good as a victory celebration. The Brazilian’s heart belongs to her four-legged companions just as much as it does to “the art of eight limbs.”
The ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion is looking forward to having another victory celebration when she defends her coveted belt against Sweden’s Johanna Persson in the main event of ONE Fight Night 33 on Prime Video, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium this Friday, July 11.
And there is no doubt that if she accomplishes her goal, then her beloved dogs will be wagging their tails once she comes home with the gold.
When she’s not throwing kicks and knees, Rodrigues channels her warrior spirit into a different kind of battle – rescuing abandoned dogs and spreading awareness about animal welfare.
The 27-year-old’s love affair with dogs began long before she ever stepped inside a ring. Growing up in Brazil, canines were woven into the fabric of her family life, creating an unbreakable bond that would shape her worldview.
She told onefc.com:
“I love dogs. They have always been a part of my life since I was a child. It’s an inexplicable passion. I’ve loved dogs since I was a child.”
The Healing Power Of Paws
Just like Liam “Hitman” Harrison finds solace in his German shepherd Luna, Rodrigues has discovered that her trio of furry friends serves as the perfect antidote to the grueling demands of being a World Champion.
The atomweight Muay Thai queen’s pack consists of Dom, a male bulldog, Delilah, a female bulldog, and Pandora, an American bully who completes the unit. When training gets tough, there’s nothing more satisfying for the mom-champ than going back home and being greeted by her loyal buddies.
Rodrigues said:
“Sometimes, on a tiring day, when I’m not feeling so excited, they start playing and jumping on me, and that completely changes my day. They are extremely affectionate and friendly.”
Dom, in particular, holds a special place in Rodrigues’ heart.
When she and her boyfriend first moved in together, the bulldog became their practice run at parenthood. He also served as a companion for the pair when tragedy first struck.
The Brazilian explained:
“I got Dom when it was just me and my boyfriend living together. We had another dog that ended up passing away some time later. He got sick, and we couldn’t find out what was wrong with him in time. But that’s when I realized that getting Dom was the best thing we could have done. I raised him like a baby. Today, he’s six years old, and he’s my faithful companion.”
A Champion’s Heartbreak
Success in the ring, however, doesn’t shield World Champions from life’s deepest heartaches.
Rodrigues learned this lesson the hard way when she lost Lili, Dom’s sister, in a tragedy that still haunts her to this day.
She explained:
“We had gone to the market, and when we got home, she greeted us normally at the gate. But 30 minutes later, I saw her lying under my son’s bouncer. I started calling her, but she didn’t even move. That’s when my boyfriend took her out of there, and we rushed to the vet, but she was already gone.”
The loss was devastating, but it reinforced Rodrigues’ belief in the power of canine companionship.
She had originally gotten Lili because Dom was struggling with loneliness after their first dog passed away – a decision that brought joy to both dogs’ lives, even if it was cut short.
The Brazilian mom-champ said:
“It hurt a lot because we didn’t expect it to happen so soon. We got her about two months after our first dog died because Dom was very lonely and sad.”
A Mission Beyond The Ring
Like many ONE Championship stars who channel their competitive drive into causes close to their hearts, Rodrigues has found her purpose in animal rescue.
Her philosophy is simple yet profound: dogs represent pure love, and everyone deserves to experience that connection.
The ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion shared:
“In my opinion, having dogs is a way of spreading love. It is a sincere feeling, so I believe it is an experience that everyone should have at least once in their life.”
This belief drives her passion for animal rescue, a cause that resonates deeply with someone who has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of giving a dog a second chance.
Her commitment to rescue work stems from a stark reality she’s witnessed throughout her life in Brazil and beyond.
Rodrigues explained:
“Without a doubt, if I could, I would help all animals. There are many cases of abandonment, and it is not their fault, so I see animal rescue as something extremely important. Unfortunately, the proportion of abandoned dogs is huge, so I believe these rescue projects can give hope to these abandoned animals.”
As Rodrigues prepares to defend her 26 pounds of gold against Persson in U.S. primetime on Friday night, she carries with her the same unconditional love and loyalty that her dogs have shown her throughout her journey.
Whether she’s dazzling on the global stage or advocating for abandoned animals, her mission remains the same: spreading love and fighting for those who can’t fight for themselves.
