Kana Morimoto is coming for ONE Championship gold at ONE 172 on Sunday, March 23, on international pay-per-view. After scoring a clear unanimous choice win in her final outing in opposition to Moa Carlsson, Kana may have a a lot steeper check inside Saitama Tremendous Enviornment. Awaiting her will likely be ONE Girls’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Queen” Phetjeeja.
Kana Morimoto Prepared for Phetjeeja’s Problem This Sunday
“It is a large alternative, and I’ll win the ONE Championship belt in Japan. I actually imagine I’m the one one on this planet who can beat Phetjeeja, so I’ve to win,” Kana Morimoto stated to ONE.
Phetjeeja is thought for her unimaginable Muay Thai expertise however seamlessly transitioned into kickboxing by defeating pound-for-pound nice Anissa Meksen for the interim crown in 2023. She went on to unify the belts with Janet Todd at ONE Battle Night time 20.
Kana Morimoto Offers Phetjeeja Plaudit Forward of ONE 172
With virtually impeccable approach in all sides of the sport, Kana Morimoto has nothing however the highest reward for the reigning champion.
IT’S ON 🥊 Phetjeeja places her ONE Girls’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title on the road in opposition to Japanese celebrity Kana at Saitama Tremendous Enviornment on March 23 at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang! Will the Thai titleholder transfer to 7-0 in ONE, or will “Krusher Queen” declare the gold in entrance… pic.twitter.com/1QChAZCmm8
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) February 12, 2025
“Phetjeeja is expert in kickboxing and Muay Thai, making her a whole athlete. She has a excessive preventing IQ and a variety of preventing types, so I actually see her as an ideal athlete. In fact, the stronger my opponent, the upper my motivation. I believe Phetjeeja is a well-rounded athlete who can do every thing, however I imagine my knockout energy in a single strike is superior to hers,” the Japanese athlete detailed.
Though the Japanese expertise has scored titles in Krush and Ok-1, it’s ONE’s most coveted prize that has her eyes glinting with gold. “Krusher Queen” sees this because the crowning achievement she is lacking from her legacy. A win over Phetjeeja would go away little doubt as to Kana Morimoto’s spot in historical past.
“I imagine ONE Championship is the largest group on this planet. If I win the kickboxing belt, I believe that would be the final accomplishment for me,” Kana Morimoto stated.
Kana Morimoto Excited to Battle at Saitama Tremendous Enviornment
ONE 172 is an electrical occasion with 5 World Championship matches on the cardboard. In a show of Japanese martial arts in opposition to the world, Kana Morimoto is proud to make the stroll to the ring representing her dwelling. The Crew Aftermath consultant is able to revel within the glory when her walkout music hits the audio system.
“Saitama Tremendous Enviornment is the venue for main martial arts occasions. It’s exhausting to elucidate. When a combat occurs there, the ambiance is unimaginable, and the cheers from the gang are unbelievably loud. It’s exhausting to place into phrases, however when the world is packed, it will get insanely thrilling,” Kana commented.
Kana Morimoto’s pleasure extends past simply competing at dwelling. Because the lone girls’s World Championship match on the invoice, she feels an obligation to signify girls as effectively. Undoubtedly, this platform and primetime matchup will give her the chance to just do that in entrance of a worldwide viewing viewers.
“I’m completely satisfied to be a part of this occasion by which Japan’s prime athletes are preventing. I’m additionally the one feminine Japanese athlete within the occasion, which makes it much more particular for me. I imagine it is a nice alternative to showcase Japanese feminine athletes to the world, and I really feel a powerful duty to display the energy of Japanese martial artists on this stage,” the atomweight challenger stated.
ONE 172 airs stay on Sunday, March 23, at 3 a.m. ET/midnight PT. The motion hails from the Saitama Tremendous Enviornment in Japan. The occasion is on the market to buy on international pay-per-view through watch.onefc.com.
