Immediately after her win at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, the 21-year-old Thai star asked for a title shot against Brazil’s Rodrigues, and it was music to her ears, since she has long had Phetjeeja on her radar.

“I’ve known about Phetjeeja for a long time,” Rodrigues, 25, told the Post. “I knew her when she was even fighting with boys. She was my idol. As a fighter, I always looked up to Phetjeeja before.

“This was my dream from the beginning to have the best in the world calling me out. I hope everybody is still calling me out and we are gonna keep that belt with us.”

ONE: Andrade open to Rodtang super fight after Haggerty

Even with a super fight against Smilla Sundell for ONE’s strawweight Muay Thai belt fast approaching at ONE Fight Night 14 in Singapore on September 30, Rodrigues is keen to get her next atomweight challenger locked in.

“I know I am going to face her,” Rodrigues said of Phetjeeja. “I don’t know when yet. But I know for sure I’m gonna face her, and I am gonna come like every fight.

“I am going to try my best. Try to do what I can. Every fight I come 100 per cent and I’m happy I can face Smilla now and have a big challenge even before Phetjeeja because this is going to make me even stronger for Phetjeeja.”

Swedish 18-year-old Sundell, who is based out of the Fairtex gym in Pattaya, Thailand, was originally set for a rematch against Jackie Buntan, whom she defeated via decision to become the inaugural champion in April 2022.

Rodrigues has stepped in on relatively short notice, but admitted moving up a weight class and chasing another title was never her long-term plan – meaning next month’s fight is essentially a free hit.

“I have nothing to lose now and everything to win,” she said. “If I win, I become a two-division champion. If I make a good fight, I still don’t lose anything. I’m still champion of my division. I am gonna try to win for sure and give my best.

“We have a game plan for her, for her style. And we really want to try and see if we can make it in the fight. We’re gonna give our best.”

The team surrounding Rodrigues at Phuket Fight Club, including head coach Leo Elias, who acted as her translator for her interview with Post, has a tremendous amount of respect for Sundell. They know what to expect and will be ready for wherever the fight goes.

Although pundits will point to Sundell having the size and reach advantage, speed will also be a major factor when the leather starts flying. Rodrigues has plenty of that and a loaded gas tank to go the distance.

“Smilla has kind of the same style as me,” Rodrigues said. “She goes forward all of the time. She comes to fight. She comes to do her long knees and punches. I do the same.

“I really think it is going to be a five-round war.”

Rodrigues will compete in her third straight title fight in the Singapore-based martial arts promotion. She has only faced title holders under the ONE banner.

The Fortaleza native defeated Stamp Fairtex to win the atomweight Muay Thai title on her debut in August 2020.

She then returned after a near two-year lay off during her pregnancy and the birth of her son to unify the titles against Janet Todd, who won an interim belt in her absence in March 2023.

“I just want to give my best every fight,” Rodrigues said. “They have given me from the beginning only champions and we never pick fights. Whoever they give us, we’re gonna go and try our best.”