Momentum and perfection collide when Japanese wrestling specialist Chihiro Sawada meets undefeated American sensation Natalie Salcedo in a women’s atomweight MMA showdown at ONE Fight Night 39 on Prime Video on Friday, January 23, 2026, inside Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium as ONE Championship launches its U.S. primetime calendar with a clash that could determine the next challenger for Denice Zamboanga’s ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship.

Sawada’s explosive wrestling pedigree and winning momentum position her as a dangerous contender seeking validation against unbeaten opposition. The 28-year-old former Shooto Champion has compiled an impressive 10-1 career record since joining the world’s largest martial arts organization in February 2023, announcing her arrival with an Americana shoulder lock submission of Sanaz Fayazmanesh before building an eight-fight winning streak through unanimous decision victories over experienced mixed martial artists Jihin Radzuan and Noelle Grandjean.

That streak shattered when she suffered her first career loss, yet the Tokyo native’s response revealed her true championship character. Two consecutive victories followed as she submitted Macarena Aragon this past July before demolishing Japanese compatriot Itsuki Hirata last month, proving the setback represented temporary adversity rather than permanent ceiling. Her five promotional victories showcase the complete skill set required for championship competition while demonstrating resilience necessary to overcome elite opposition.

Victory over Salcedo would represent more than simple bounce-back success — it would establish Sawada as a legitimate threat to Zamboanga’s throne while proving she can handle undefeated prospects carrying dangerous reputations. The Japanese star understands that defeating someone who’s never lost carries different weight than beating fighters already carrying losses on their records, creating the kind of signature win that forces championship conversations rather than simply continuing them.

Salcedo enters Friday’s clash as one of the division’s most intriguing new stars precisely because nobody has solved her puzzle yet. The 33-year-old Colorado-based fighter carried her unbeaten amateur record into professional competition and compiled a spotless 4-0 slate that includes a spectacular promotional debut at ONE Fight Night 35 this past September when she forced Aragon to tap in the first round.

That statement victory immediately established the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt armed with a Muay Thai background as a legitimate threat in the talent-laden women’s atomweight division. Her combination of grappling credentials and striking capability creates the kind of complete mixed martial artist who presents problems regardless of where fights take place, forcing opponents to respect both her submission threats and standup power.

The stylistic matchup promises fireworks between Sawada’s wrestling-based approach and Salcedo’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu foundation, creating the kind of grappling chess match where small technical mistakes get magnified into submission opportunities. Both fighters understand that controlling positions matters less than creating finishing opportunities, transforming what could become a grinding wrestling affair into a fast-paced scramble fest where danger lurks in every exchange.

Friday’s winner doesn’t just improve her record — she positions herself as the next legitimate challenger for championship gold while proving she belongs among the division’s elite. For Sawada, victory validates her comeback from adversity while establishing her credentials against undefeated opposition. For Salcedo, triumph confirms her perfect record represents genuine talent rather than fortunate matchmaking while announcing her arrival as a championship-caliber threat who can handle experienced veterans carrying winning streaks.

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