Twenty-five-year-old Watsapinya “Dream Girl” Kaewkhong believes the ONE Championship ring to be a highly unpredictable place, and she’s banking on a shocking performance against a rising star in her first appearance for the world’s largest martial arts organization.
Watsapinya will face undefeated Filipina atomweight and World Title contender Denice “The Menace” Fairtex in a three round mixed martial arts contest at ONE: A NEW BREED, a live, closed-door, audience-free event scheduled for Friday, 28 August in Bangkok, Thailand.
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The Thai national judo champion says that although she has only been given a short window of time to train for her ONE Championship debut, she plans to make the most out of it and put her best foot forward for her hometown fans.
“It’s unfortunate that I only have a few days to prepare for this fight, but I will put all of my effort into it. These are strange times we live in, and I’m just thankful for the opportunity to perform on the biggest stage in the world,” said Watsapinya.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I will try my best. This is my debut fight, I want to give it everything I have.”
Training out of Wild Card MMA in northern Bangkok, Watsapinya has been working out, trying her best to stay in shape during a global health crisis that has impacted every industry – the martial arts community especially.
“Dream Girl” knows how fortunate of a position she is in, being able to step inside the ring and showcase her skills. She plans on leaving a lasting impression, short-circuiting her opponent’s rise to stardom, and taking the Filipina’s place in the divisional pecking order.
The 25-year-old atomweight is confident in her all-around striking and grappling ability, and aims on exploiting Zamboanga’s weaknesses.
“Not all athletes get this opportunity to compete, let alone in ONE Championship, the largest martial arts organization in the world. So I’m really taking this seriously and I am full of gratitude,” said Watsapinya.
“Her strength is obviously her wrestling and grappling game, but I think her weakness is striking. I want to test her out on the feet. Anything can happen.”
ONE: A NEW BREED brings together the absolute best in local and international martial arts talent.
The headline bout features ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Stamp Fairtex of Thailand, who defends her title against promotional newcomer Allycia Hellen Rodrigues of Brazil.
In the co-main event, Muay Thai superstars Rodlek PK.Saenchaimuaythai gym and Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai square off in the final round of the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai Tournament. The winner will go on to challenge ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao at a later date.
For one, Watsapinya claims she will be more than ready to give a hundred percent against Zamboanga, and try to derail the streaking Filipina.
“To Denice, even if I’m new here, please be prepared. I will put all of my effort into this fight. I want to go far in ONE Championship,” Watsapinya concluded.
Download the ONE Super App to catch all the action at ONE: A NEW BREED for free or tune in to watch on meWATCH at 8:30 p.m. Singapore Standard Time (SGT).
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