Chihiro Sawada Eyes Redemption and Title Path with Statement Win Over Macarena Aragon

Chihiro Sawada is stepping into ONE Fight Night 33 with a mission—and it’s not just to win. The 5th ranked atomweight contender wants to make a definitive statement that reestablishes her as a legitimate threat in ONE Championship’s stacked atomweight division. On Friday, July 11, inside the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, the Japanese grappling ace faces Argentine striker Macarena Aragon in a pivotal matchup—and she’s not planning to leave the outcome up to the judges.

After an impressive run in ONE Championship, Sawada hit a bump in the road earlier this year when she lost a decision to Chinese powerhouse Meng Bo. That setback was a reality check, one that disrupted her momentum and temporarily knocked her off course in the title race. But Sawada isn’t dwelling on the past. Instead, she’s channeling her focus into dominating her next opponent in decisive fashion.

Aragon brings a very different challenge than Sawada’s last foe. The 23-year-old from Argentina, who has a background in judo, is known for her aggressive, forward-charging style and physical strength—qualities that have given opponents serious problems in her previous outings. Sawada, however, has done her homework.

“She’s fought twice in ONE, and watching her fights, she’s an aggressive type who comes forward. She has a judo base, seems physically strong, and has strong hips,” Sawada said. “[She has] hip strength and overall strength, so I think my first takedown attempt might get stuffed. Also, her punches might not be so much about technique but heavy, so I want to be careful not to get hit by those. I need to take the initiative and not let her set the pace. I can’t let her control the pace.”

Sawada’s strategy is clear: weather the early storm, avoid heavy shots, and bring the fight to her world—on the ground. Confident in her submission arsenal and technical grappling, the Japanese standout isn’t just looking for a win—she’s gunning for a finish.

“I’m aiming for a submission victory,” she stated bluntly.

But beyond the immediate goal of defeating Aragon, Sawada has her eyes set on a much bigger prize: a shot at the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title. The reigning champion, Denice Zamboanga, is on Sawada’s radar, and she’s already mapping out the path to a future title clash.

Sawada understands that in the fight game, it’s not just about winning—it’s about making a statement. She’s determined to prove she belongs among the elite and knows a dominant performance on July 11 could catapult her back into the title conversation.

“I want to fight top-ranked opponents, but there’s an aspect of ‘speak up and you might get it,’ so I think if I win this fight, I could say I want to fight Zamboanga,” she added.

With her mindset sharpened by experience and her motivation fueled by championship ambition, Chihiro Sawada is approaching ONE Fight Night 33 not just as a fight—but as a defining moment in her career. If she gets her hand raised in spectacular fashion, the atomweight landscape could shift dramatically.