From Red Cards to World Title Shots: Johanna Persson Relishes ONE Championship Debut

In just seven years, Johanna Persson has transformed her life from a competitive soccer player with a habit of collecting red cards into a world-class Muay Thai striker set to make her debut on the biggest stage of her career — ONE Championship.

On Friday, July 11, the Swedish athlete will challenge reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues at ONE Fight Night 33, live from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok. For Persson, this is more than just a title fight — it’s a realization of an improbable journey that started in the most unexpected of ways.

Hailing from the coastal city of Gävle, Sweden, Persson's early years were defined by team sports. Soccer was her first love, but her overly aggressive playing style often landed her in trouble on the pitch. She recalls being constantly sent off for reckless fouls, something that hinted at a fire within that needed a more suitable outlet.

“I was playing soccer when I was young, when I was 15 or 16. I was pretty aggressive when I played soccer. I had a lot of red cards due to a lot of fouls,” Persson said, reflecting on the beginnings of her competitive nature.

That outlet came during her university years. She stumbled upon a Muay Thai class by chance when she saw a friend hitting pads and decided to give it a try — purely for fitness. However, what began as casual exercise quickly evolved into a passionate pursuit. Just three months into her training, her coach recognized her potential and asked if she wanted to compete. That was the turning point.

“I started training because I needed something to do and just for some exercise. And then, when I was three months in, my coach asked me if I wanted to fight. After that, my training had more of a purpose, and then I was hooked,” she explained.

Since that moment, Persson’s rise through the Muay Thai ranks has been meteoric. She’s already won several notable championships, including the prestigious WBC Muay Thai World Title earlier this year — an achievement that solidified her position among the sport’s elite.

Now, she’s set to make her ONE Championship debut — and it just so happens to be a world title fight. Such opportunities are rare, especially for newcomers to the promotion, but Persson is embracing the challenge with open arms and a composed mindset.

“I am trying to see everything and visualizing how the fight goes. From walking to the ring to the first seconds of the fight, the rounds, and all that stuff. I am trying to get used to the feeling and getting used to everything around this opportunity, too,” she said.

Rather than letting the pressure consume her, Persson is choosing to stay grounded, enjoying the

journey rather than worrying about the outcome.

“I am just trying to enjoy the moment because how many times will this happen to me? I don’t know. Pressure aside, I just want to really enjoy this moment instead of feeling nervous or anxious.”

Whether or not Persson walks away with the gold, her story is already a triumph of determination and transformation. From an aggressive teen on the soccer field to a world-class striker stepping into the global spotlight, Johanna Persson is proving that it’s never too late to find your true calling.