Janet Todd is one of the most exciting and dominant strikers on the ONE Championship Muay Thai and Kickboxing rosters.
The current ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion will be heading to ONE 159 to face Lara Fernandez for the Interim ONE Muay Thai Women's Atomweight Championship.
We spoke to ‘JT’ ahead of her attempt to become Atomweight Champion in two different disciplines about her preparation, social media influencers moving into the fight game and more.
Here is what Janet Todd had to say about her upcoming ONE Championship 159 contest against Lara Fernandez on Friday 22nd July 2022.
HEADING: ONE Championship 159: Fight Card, Date, UK Start Time, Live Stream and More
Credit: ONE Championship
Janet Todd ONE Championship Atomweight Fighter
GMS: You’re competing in the co-main event of ONE 159 against Lara Fernandez for the Interim Atomweight Muay Thai World Championship, are there any changes in mental preparation when you compete in Muay Thai as opposed to Kickboxing?
Janet Todd: In terms of mental or physical? For mental it’s the same whenever I’m competing, I’m always staying prepared for a fight no matter whether I’m competing in Kickboxing or Muay Thai. In terms of physical, it is different because of the rules and size of the gloves, so my defensive training and clinch work ahead of a Muay Thai contest is very different.
GMS: Fernandez has never fought at a professional level at Atomweight, do you think that gives you an advantage on the night?
Janet Todd: I believe she has fought at lower weight limits, maybe not Atomweight but when you’re given an opportunity such as this to compete for an Interim ONE Championship title you’ll do everything you can to get prepared. I don’t think that is going to be an issue for her as she already competes in divisions where you have to weigh in on the day of the fight itself, so she’ll be prepared.
GMS: This is your opponent’s debut in ONE FC, do you think that gives you a home-field advantage?
Janet Todd: I’ve fought for ONE many times now, and the first time I fought there were things that I wasn’t even aware of, there’s so much that goes on before a contest that I’m used to now. ONE feels so much like home now and I’ve got a familiarity with everything.
GMS: If you defeat Lara Fernandez and then go on to unify the Atomweight Muay Thai World Championship, what will be your plan in terms of competing in both Kickboxing and Muay Thai? Is there a set plan or will you challenge competitors as ONE presents them to you?
Janet Todd: I’d love to unify the titles and I also really want to continue defending my ONE Kickboxing Championship. It all really depends on what the company offers me, I’m willing to take on whatever they have!
Read More: ONE Championship 159 Live Stream: How to Watch
Credit: ONE Championship
Janet Todd Interview cont.
GMS: We saw a huge mixed-rules contest between Rodtang and Demetrious Johnson, would a similar contest against Angela Lee be something you’re interested in?
Janet Todd: Absolutely not (laughs)! That is not a challenge I want! I absolutely respect Angela and what she’s accomplished but I like my stand-up (laughs)! I think a mixed-rules fight between Stamp [Fairtex] and Angela would be great though.
GMS: Would you like to face Stamp again in Kickboxing if the opportunity arose?
Janet Todd: She’s a great competitor and she brought a lot out of me, so I would take that opportunity if it was available.
GMS: ONE is so different to other combat sports organisations as they present contests across MMA, Submission Grappling, Muay Thai and Kickboxing, do you think that we will see more fighters coming to ONE and choosing to work in single disciplines as opposed to going the MMA route? We’ve obviously seen former MMA fighters move into these celebrity/influencer boxing contests, so do you think we’ll see more of a drive in general towards single disciplines?
Janet Todd: There are so many options! But I don’t really like social media influencers thinking that they can walk in and compete at a high level [in combat sports], that’s how I feel. I’m really happy that there are people who have been through the combat sports journey their whole lives who are able to make a significant amount of money for themselves and their families.
GMS: Thank you so much for your time Janet and good luck with your fight at ONE Championship 159!
Janet Todd: Thank you!
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