ONE Championship: no secret behind beating Fernandez, says Yu, as Hongkonger vows not to miss weight target again
- Yu Yau-pui’s stamina was the difference in battle decision win over Lara Fernandez
- Brazilian Allycia Rodriguez holds atomweight Muay Thai title, and Yu is confident of competing in that division
Yu Yau-pui had plenty of reasons to celebrate last weekend, when she beat Lara Fernandez by decision at ONE Fight Night 20 to stretch her winning streak to six.
Victory also showed the Hongkonger could be a contender in the atomweight division.
The only blemish on an otherwise perfect night was her failure to make weight, which cost her 30 per cent of her purse and meant she was ineligible for a fight bonus.
Having successfully made weight five times ahead of ONE Championship Friday night fights last year, Yu was as surprised as anyone when this issue arose.
“I guess maybe I’m not used to the weather or the new weigh-in schedule for the [Saturday] event,” Yu said. “I felt remorse for missing weight because I think as a fighter, it is my responsibility to make sure I am in the correct weight. I will try my best to do it right next time.”
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The 31-year-old said it wouldn’t be a long-term problem and planned to remain at atomweight. Yu was relentless against Fernandez, constantly coming forwards and attacking throughout the three round fight.
Most fighters prefer to take a more cagey approach, but Yu said the aggressive style just came naturally.
“I fought the exact same way since my first fight,” she said. “I don’t know where it [the style] comes from.”
Yu was also far fitter than her opponent, maintaining her ferocious pace throughout the fight, something Fernandez could not cope with.
And while her stamina sets Yu the Hongkonger apart from many fighters, Yu said there was no secret behind that success.
“We used to train in the afternoon,” she said. “But when we realised that I have to fight in the early morning, we pushed the whole section forward and started in the morning. We usually start with running to warm up the body and then some bag work. Then sparring.”
Co-headlining ONE Fight Night 20 was Allycia Rodriguez. The Brazilian successfully defended the atomweight Muay Thai title and extended her reign at the top of the division.
Every fighter dreams of winning the belt, but Yu was not getting ahead of herself, and acknowledged “the distance” between herself and the champion.
“I know that she is very strong and skilful,” Yu said. “I know there is a distance between me and her. If one day, I have a chance, I will adopt the mentality of a challenger, try my very best to use what I have trained and give it my all to fight.”
