bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Andrew Whitelaw

A certain brash Irishman once made a phrase synonymous with combat sports: “We’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over.”
Martyna Kierczynska is anything but brash, but she would almost certainly subscribe to Conor McGregor’s sentiment.
Quietly confident, respectful, and technically gifted, the Polish phenom carries herself with conviction – and believes she belongs at the top.
The 23-year-old Muay Thai standout is preparing for her third appearance in ONE Championship and has made no secret of her long-term goal.
“I want to be the first Polish world champion in ONE Championship,” Kierczynska told the Post. “That’s my goal; I’m doing everything I can to be on top.”


Originally scheduled to face Scotland’s Amy Pirnie in Bangkok, Kierczynska was handed a late opponent switch when Pirnie withdrew. Stepping in will be Cynthia Flores, a 30-year-old from Mexico with a WBC international title on her resume.
“I was very focused on Amy,” Kierczynska said. “We had prepared a full game plan.
“But I’m grateful there’s still a fight. Cynthia Flores is a strong opponent, and I’m excited to welcome her to ONE.”
Kierczynska will be looking to make another strong statement, possibly replicating the emphatic first-round knockout from her promotional debut earlier last year.
“If I see the chance for a knockout, I’ll go for it,” she said. “But I’ll also stay calm and fight smart.”
The pursuit of greatness has driven the Polish striker to overhaul her entire approach to the sport, including a switch in management and, crucially, the addition of a mental coach.
“I want to behave like a champion in every way,” she said. “Not just in training, but in recovery, diet and mental health.
“I’ve started working with a mental coach to stay focused, to relax when I need to, and to be ready for everything.
“Martial arts is a very tough sport. You have to be strong not just physically but mentally. I want to be the best, and that means leaving no stone unturned.”

After previously competing at strawweight, Kierczynska now fights at atomweight – a move she believes is already paying off.
“I feel more comfortable here,” she said. “At strawweight, I was too small.
“Now I’m on a level playing field, and I’m climbing step by step toward the top.”
She is also keeping a close eye on the division’s elite, including reigning atomweight Muay Thai champion Allycia Helen Rodriguez, former three-sport queen Stamp Fairtex and legendary Thai phenom Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom.
“If I win this fight, I want to challenge someone higher in the rankings,” she said. “Maybe Amy Pirnie later this year.
Maybe even Allycia or Stamp. That’s the level I want to be at.”
Her dream is to one day fight on a landmark card such as November’s ONE 173 event in Japan.
“I saw all the big names on that show,” she said. “It’s my dream to be on that level.
“I want to show the world that a girl from Poland can be the best in the world.”
With her mindset, skill set, and growing experience, that dream may not be far off.


ONE Championship: Aliff Rakib to take on Prajanchai for strawweight Muay Thai world title

ONE Championship: Tawanchai aims to revive title bid against China’s Liu Mengyang

ONE Championship: Baatarkhuu submits Andrade to win MMA world title at Fight Night 38

Phetjeeja says potential Rodrigues fight has makings of ‘classic like Rodtang v Superlek’

ONE Championship

‘I want to be first Polish world champion’ – Kierczynska’s ONE Championship aim

Martyna Kierczynska (left) said her ambition was to become the first world champion from Poland. Photo: ONE Championship

Martyna Kierczynska (right) now fights at atomweight, having dropped down from strawweight. Photo: ONE Championship

Muay Thai legend Superlek Kiatmoo9 to share ‘elite fighting techniques’ with Hong Kong fans

Superlek Kiatmoo9 celebrates after his stunning 49-second knockout win over Jonathan Haggerty in the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship bout in September. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Younes Rabah hopes to seal top 5 spot by beating Shadow Singha Mawynn

Younes Rabah faces Shadow Singha Mawynn at ONE Fight Night 33 in Bangkok next month. Photo: ONE Championship

Shadow Singha Mawynn (left) beat Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong last July. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Zamboanga must beat me to be a real champion, Ham Seo-hee says

South Korea’s Ham Seo-hee wants a shot at Denice Zamboanga’s atomweight title at ONE 173. Photo: ONE Championship

Denice Zamboanga was named MMA atomweight champion despite losing twice to Ham Seo-hee. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Tonon eyes title run after 18-month absence, but first Gasanov

Garry Tonon is back in the ring for the first time since his victory over Martin Nguyen at ONE 165 in Tokyo. Photo: ONE Championship

ONE Championship: Shadow already thinking beyond huge fight at ONE Fight Night 33

Shadow Singha Mawynn (left) during his fight against Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong at ONE Friday Fights 92 in July 2024. Photo: ONE Championship

Sport

Martial Arts

The 23-year-old Muay Thai standout is preparing for third appearance in ONE Championship, and makes no secret of long-term goal


The 23-year-old Muay Thai standout is preparing for third appearance in ONE Championship, and makes no secret of long-term goal.


Stamp Fairtex

‘I want to be first Polish world champion’ – Kierczynska’s ONE Championship aim

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 23-year-old Muay Thai standout is preparing for third appearance in ONE Championship, and makes no secret of long-term goal

The 23-year-old Muay Thai standout is preparing for third appearance in ONE Championship, and makes no secret of long-term goal