Smilla Sundell Stripped of ONE Strawweight Muay Thai Title After Missing Weight

In a shocking turn of events, Smilla Sundell, the reigning ONE Women's Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion, has been stripped of her title after failing to make weight for her scheduled title defense against Natalia Diachkova at ONE Fight Night 22 on May 3, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand. The 19-year-old Swedish phenom tipped the scales at 126.5 pounds, exceeding the division's 125-pound limit by 1.5 pounds.

Sundell, known as "The Storm," initially failed an unofficial check, tipping the scales at 2.7 pounds over the limit. Despite passing hydration, her weight remained above the allowed threshold. In a desperate attempt to shed the excess weight, Sundell's team considered cutting her long hair, but ONE officials deemed it insufficient. Champ Fairtex, a well-respected Muay Thai trainer, measured Sundell's hair, which weighed only a quarter of a pound.

news, one, championship, weight, loses, title, sca As a result of missing weight, Sundell becomes the fourth champion in ONE history to lose their belt on the scale. The fight against Diachkova will proceed as a catchweight bout, with only the Russian challenger eligible to claim the vacant title if victorious. Sundell's team had previously expressed concerns about her ability to make the 125-pound limit, suggesting the introduction of a flyweight division to accommodate fighters struggling with weight cuts.

The highly anticipated main event at ONE Fight Night 22 was set to showcase Sundell's striking prowess against Diachkova's powerful boxing repertoire. The Russian challenger earned her title shot with four consecutive victories in ONE Friday Fights, including three knockouts. Known for her concussive right hand, Diachkova was expected to test Sundell's mettle in the center of the ring.

Sundell, a skilled Muay Thai fighter with an aggressive style, relies on her wicked body blows, stabbing straights, and crushing left hooks to wear down opponents. "The Storm" absorbs a relatively high amount of strikes but compensates with her relentless pressure and clinch work. news, knocks, opponents, impressed Sundell's strategy often involves pushing through the tight punching range to initiate the clinch, where she can deliver her potent knees and dirty boxing.

The weight miss adds an unexpected twist to the narrative surrounding the fight. Sundell's failure to make weight raises questions about her discipline and preparation leading up to the event. The young champion's future in the strawweight division remains uncertain, as her team's concerns about the weight cut have now materialized.

ONE Championship has strict protocols in place for weight cutting and hydration to prioritize athlete safety. The organization's decision to strip Sundell of her title highlights its commitment to maintaining the integrity of its weight classes and ensuring fair competition. The incident highlights the challenges fighters face in making weight and the potential consequences of falling short.

Muay Thai world digests this unexpected turn of events, attention now shifts to Natalia Diachkova, who finds herself on the cusp of capturing the ONE Women's Strawweight Muay Thai World Title. A victory over Sundell, even under these circumstances, would solidify Diachkova's position as a top contender and open up promising opportunities for her future in the division.

The Sundell-Diachkova bout is not the only one affected by weight issues at ONE Fight Night 22. Maurice Abevi failed to pass hydration for his lightweight MMA bout against Zhang Lipeng, while Akbar Abdullaev initially failed his hydration test but later passed, ensuring his featherweight MMA contest with Halil Amir would proceed as planned.

Combat sports community awaits the resolution of this unexpected situation, questions linger about the future of Smilla Sundell and the ONE Women's Strawweight Muay Thai division. Will "The Storm" bounce back from this setback and reclaim her title, or will a new champion emerge in her absence? The answers will unfold in the coming months while Muay Thai continues to deliver thrilling and unpredictable moments.

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Key Takeaways

• Smilla Sundell stripped of ONE Women's Strawweight Muay Thai title for missing weight.
• Sundell weighed 126.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the 125-pound limit.
• Fight against Natalia Diachkova will proceed as a catchweight bout.
• Diachkova can claim the vacant title if she wins, but Sundell cannot.
• Sundell's future in the strawweight division is uncertain due to weight cut concerns.