Allycia Hellen Rodrigues: From Muay Thai World Champion to MMA Contender
- Austin Jones
- May 26
- 4 min read
Allycia Hellen Rodrigues: From Muay Thai World Champion to MMA Contender
Allycia Hellen Rodrigues, the reigning ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion, is taking a bold step in her career as she transitions from the striking-heavy art of Muay Thai into the multifaceted world of mixed martial arts (MMA). Known for her devastating strikes and exceptional Muay Thai techniques, Rodrigues is now focused on developing her grappling skills, particularly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), in preparation for a potential MMA debut.
The Transition from Muay Thai to MMA
As a Muay Thai world champion, Rodrigues has mastered the art of striking, but MMA requires a broader skill set, including wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and clinch work. Acknowledging the demands of transitioning to MMA, Rodrigues is fully aware that this shift will challenge her in new ways. Her striking background is a significant asset, but to be successful in MMA, she knows she needs to become well-rounded and improve her grappling skills, particularly in BJJ.
Rodrigues' desire to step into the cage has been clear. While her Muay Thai prowess has earned her a reputation as one of the best in her division, she’s eager to prove herself in a new arena. "I intend to fight MMA," she stated, and her actions speak louder than words. Her preparation is already underway, and she is focused on evolving as a fighter in ways that go beyond her Muay Thai roots.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Key to MMA Success
One of the most crucial areas Rodrigues is targeting is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Although she comes from a striking background, Rodrigues has a solid foundation in grappling, having trained in BJJ and kickboxing during her teenage years. This early exposure to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gives her a head start, but she is aware that her training now needs to be far more intense.
BJJ is often regarded as one of the most essential skills for MMA, as it can help fighters control and submit opponents once the fight hits the ground. Despite her familiarity with grappling, Rodrigues has admitted that learning the intricacies of BJJ has not been easy. Grappling, particularly the endurance required in BJJ, is physically demanding and different from the explosive movements she’s used to in Muay Thai.
“I always go back to training jiu-jitsu after a fight. Obviously, I need to keep up my Muay Thai training routine as well, but when I don’t have a fight scheduled, I can fit in jiu-jitsu training.
“And the best part is that I train both jiu-jitsu and MMA at my gym, Phuket Fight Club. This makes it easier to fit training into my routine.” Allycia stated
The Challenges of Grappling
While Rodrigues’ striking skills have brought her worldwide recognition, she acknowledges that grappling is an area where she has to make significant improvements. She has found the physical demands of BJJ challenging, particularly because the sport requires fighters to work for control, positioning, and submissions while being mindful of their energy expenditure.
“My husband, Jose Neto, helps me a lot with my training, but there’s also Leonardo Souza, who is the jiu-jitsu teacher at Phuket Fight Club."
“But there are other teachers and training partners, and it’s always great to train with all of them because they all help me a lot. I only train MMA in the morning. In the afternoon, I train Muay Thai.” she said.
Rodrigues is already incorporating BJJ into her training, working alongside experts and refining her skills. She's committed to building the cardio and muscle memory necessary to succeed in an MMA environment. This approach reflects her dedication to becoming the best, no matter what it takes.
The Road to MMA: What's Next for Rodrigues?
Rodrigues is not just planning to compete in MMA; she’s determined to succeed at the highest level. As ONE Championship has already seen the potential of her Muay Thai skills, it’s only a matter of time before they test her versatility in MMA. Rodrigues has made it clear that she is ready to take that leap when the opportunity presents itself.
“I decided to train jiu-jitsu because I intend to fight MMA. If everything goes well, I intend to debut in MMA next year. Let’s see how I evolve and how things unfold along the way.”
The transition from Muay Thai to MMA is not an easy one, and it will take time for Rodrigues to refine her grappling and adjust to the different rules of MMA. But with her determination and fighting spirit, there's no doubt she’s up for the challenge.
The Future of Allycia Hellen Rodrigues in MMA
Rodrigues’ journey into MMA is a testament to the growing versatility of combat sports athletes. Fighters like Rodrigues are proving that while mastering one discipline is impressive, the true challenge lies in becoming a complete fighter, capable of excelling across various combat forms.
Whether it’s her lightning-fast strikes or her growing proficiency in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Rodrigues’ transition to MMA will be one of the most exciting stories in the sport. Fans are eager to see how her unique skill set, honed in the world of Muay Thai, will translate into the MMA cage. With her championship mentality and relentless pursuit of improvement, Rodrigues is setting herself up for success in the next chapter of her combat sports career.
As the fight world watches, there’s little doubt that Allycia Hellen Rodrigues is poised to make her mark in MMA—bringing with her the skills and tenacity that made her a Muay Thai world champion.
