Former K-1 Champion Kana “Krusher Queen” Morimoto returns with her radar firmly locked on securing her first highlight-reel finish on the global stage of ONE Championship.

The 33-year-old Japanese striker meets Vero “The Kayan Leopard” in a high-stakes atomweight kickboxing matchup at The Inner Circle. Broadcasting live in Asia primetime, the blockbuster event takes place inside Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium this Friday, May 22, available exclusively to subscribers on live.onefc.com.

The matchup carries massive implications for both women.

A victory for either star could immediately position them as the leading contender to challenge ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Queen” Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom.

Kana told onefc.com:

“There’s both the challenge of the kickboxing rule set, and if she beats me, she gets a shot at Phetjeeja. Whether she wins or loses this fight will significantly change what comes next for her, so she’ll be coming in with very high motivation. I’m sure of it.”

With her World Title dreams well within reach, Kana has gone all out to ensure she gets her hand raised inside the ring.

The Team Aftermath striker is fully prepared for what the Myanmar standout brings to the table, though she admits Vero’s physical frame at atomweight provides a distinct advantage that could cause real problems.

She said:

“She has an amateur boxing background, so her boxing is sharp. And she has very long limbs, using that reach to make the most of her boxing technique is something I’m genuinely cautious about.”

Respect, however, only takes the Japanese star’s analysis so far. She is highly confident the kickboxing ruleset shifts the equation right back into her corner — and not by a small margin.

Where Vero’s boxing pedigree shines in a narrow technical window, the former four-time K-1 Champion believes her own arsenal spans the entire kickboxing canvas across every level, range, and weapon the ruleset allows. As such, Kana plans to drag Vero into deep waters before hunting for a late knockout to earn her 25th career victory.

She stated:

“The ruleset works in my favor – the volume of techniques available, the range of exchanges and tactical options. I think the gap in technical depth will show clearly.

“I want to put that on full display and win. And winning on points means nothing to me. I want to go for the finish. I plan to build the first and second rounds, then close it out in the third.”

The Rematch That Must Be Earned

A finishing performance against Vero unlocks the door to the only fight Kana Morimoto is truly chasing: a blockbuster rematch against Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom.

The Thai megastar overcame the Team Aftermath affiliate in their five-round World Title tiff at ONE 172 in Saitama, Japan, in March of last year, and she is the only person standing between Kana and the 26 pounds of gold she covets in the world’s largest martial arts organization.

“Krusher Queen” shared:

“Vero is a fighter who deserves a title shot if she beats me, so I think she would be that caliber of opponent. 

“But it depends on how I win. If I win convincingly, the Phetjeeja rematch comes into view for me. I want to win, then tell Phetjeeja I want that rematch – right there in the ring.”

The destination for that rematch is strictly non-negotiable in Kana’s mind. She wants the highly anticipated sequel to take place inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.

Before any title conversation can officially begin, however, the former K-1 Champion has one massive job in front of her at The Inner Circle on May 22. And the Japanese warrior is ready to deliver a grueling battle that fans will remember long after the final bell — the exact kind of high-octane fight where the engine note matches her beloved bright red American muscle car.

The 33-year-old concluded:

“To Vero, I want to tell her, ‘Let’s have an exciting striking exchange and put on a great show for the crowd.’ 

“And to the fans, I’m going to give them that kind of fight and make the arena electric. So, I really hope everyone watches and pays attention to this one.”

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