ONE Championship: Antonia Prifti wants Phetjeeja title shot rebooked after debut win

Greece’s Antonia Prifti wants her cancelled title shot against Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom rebooked after winning her ONE Championship debut.

The 25-year-old former K-1 champion earned a unanimous decision over Ameline Gerson in a strawweight kickboxing bout at ONE Friday Fights 171 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok on September 18.

But her attention remains on the atomweight kickboxing belt held by the Thai star, whose injury forced a change to Prifti’s introduction to the promotion.

“Yes, definitely. I’d like to have that fight when she’s fully recovered and healthy,” Prifti told the Bangkok Post when asked about reviving the match-up.

“I wish her a good recovery, and when she’s ready, I’d be happy to make that fight happen.”

Prifti had originally been handed an immediate championship opportunity at The Inner Circle 28 on August 28, only for Phetjeeja to withdraw after suffering a hand injury in training.

Antonia Prifti has her hand raised after defeating Ameline Gerson by unanimous decision at ONE Friday Fights 171 in Bangkok

The cancellation delayed both Prifti’s debut and the champion’s second defence of her undisputed kickboxing crown. The eventual bout against Gerson was a non-title contest in the division above.

Phetjeeja last defended her belt against KANA at ONE 172 in March 2025. She later fell short in a bid to add the atomweight Muay Thai title, losing a split decision to Allycia Hellen Rodrigues at The Inner Circle 19 in June.

Prifti’s first appearance ultimately brought the result she needed, although she felt the performance did not fully reflect what she could offer.

“I think the fight went well, but honestly, I’m not completely satisfied with my performance,” she said.

“I know I can do more, and I wanted to show more of what I’m capable of in there and more of who I am as a fighter.

“There are definitely things I can improve on, so I’ll take this experience, learn from it, and come back better for the next one.”

Antonia Prifti (right) lands a punch on Ameline Gerson during their strawweight kickboxing bout at Lumpinee Stadium

The bout also gave Prifti a first taste of competing on ONE’s weekly Bangkok cards after the disruption to her original booking.

“It was an amazing experience. I was excited but also a little nervous at the same time, knowing I was fighting on such a big stage like ONE Championship,” she said.

“The atmosphere was incredible, both inside and outside the ring, and I really enjoyed the whole experience. I’d love to be back there soon and hopefully keep building from this experience.”

A rematch with Japan’s KANA would offer another possible assignment, with their history stretching back to Prifti’s biggest career victory.

Antonia Prifti (right) fires a kick into Ameline Gerson’s guard during her ONE Championship debut

Prifti travelled to Japan in December 2023 and won a unanimous decision to end KANA’s reign of more than four years as K-1 women’s flyweight champion. She lost the belt to SAHO in her first defence three months later.

KANA has already identified Prifti as one of the opponents she would like to revisit, telling the Post before ONE Fight Night 46 in August that she wanted to avenge three defeats.

“Vero, Prifti and Phetjeeja – one, two, three,” she said.

After outpointing Hong Kong’s Yu Yau Pui on that card, however, KANA made clear that a rematch with Vero Nika remained her first priority.

KANA has her hand raised after defeating Yu Yau Pui at ONE Fight Night 46 in Bangkok in August

Prifti would be receptive should that attention turn towards her instead.

“Yes, of course. I have a lot of respect for KANA, and we had a great fight the first time,” she said.

“If she wants her rematch, I’m definitely open to it. I’d be happy to fight her again and see what happens the second time around.”