The journey from working Myanmar farm fields to headlining international fight cards doesn’t follow a straight line. For Vero, it required choosing between family obligation and personal ambition, between safety and the possibility of becoming something more.

This Friday, February 20, that choice reaches its latest proving ground when “The Kayan Leopard” battles six-fight winning streak holder Shir Cohen in the ONE Friday Fights 143 main event at Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. Contracted talent meets rising star in atomweight Muay Thai, experienced finisher meets hungry young lion, Myanmar’s first female ONE athlete meets Israel’s most dangerous pressure fighter.

The 29-year-old brings brawling intensity built through years of overcoming adversity to reach the global stage. Her 29-4 record carries weight beyond numbers – each victory represents devastating boxing combinations and powerful left body kicks that rewrote predetermined futures.

Cohen discovered martial arts at 15 while searching for purpose after her parents’ divorce, and the sport transformed scattered pain into focused aggression. That transformation crystallized into a 10-4 record and Road to ONE: Thailand 2023 championship built on ferocious pressure and high-volume boxing backed by sharp counter low kicks. Six consecutive victories later, the 25-year-old Israeli arrives hunting the breakthrough moment that separates regional success from international recognition.

The co-main event features its own narratives of purpose forged through hardship. Thai technician Denkriangkrai Mavinn grew up training at his uncle’s gym built inside a rubber plantation, developing exceptional fight IQ and lethal left body kicks among the trees. His 60-victory career and three-fight winning streak face former Rajadamnern Stadium World Champion Petapichat Apichat in flyweight Muay Thai.

Petapichat carries his late father’s wish like a promise that must be kept. The 23-year-old rose from poverty to compile a 72-11 record through timing and fight intelligence that outsmarts opponents from any range, bringing precision striking against Denkriangkrai’s technical excellence.

Contracted athlete Nakrob Fairtex returns to action seeking to justify years of sacrifice that began at age 6. His name means “warrior” in Thai, and he’s spent 21 years proving it accurate – fighting to support his family and younger sister’s education against the chaos that Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree brings through punch barrages and dominant clinch work in their bantamweight Muay Thai clash.

The 14-bout card showcases rising talent across weight classes, with Malaysian atomweight Muhammad Ridzuan making his promotional debut against 16-year-old Japanese prodigy Riku Ito, while kickboxing features Russian technician Michael Baranov against Japanese striker Shoma. Every performance carries weight – contracts, momentum, validation that sacrifices made to reach this stage weren’t wasted on pipe dreams.

ONE Friday Fights 143 Full Card:

• Vero vs. Shir Cohen (Muay Thai – atomweight)
• Denkriangkrai Mavinn vs. Petapichat Apichat (Muay Thai – flyweight)
• Wanchainoi Sor Tor Hiewbangsaen vs. Hlaing Htet Aung (Muay Thai – strawweight)
• Lamsing T1 Academy vs. Plaipayak Sor Sommai (Muay Thai – flyweight)
• Elene Loladze vs. Sarah Mahmood (Muay Thai – strawweight)
• Anon Taladkondernmuangpon vs. Teeyai Torfunfarm (Muay Thai – strawweight)
• Michael Baranov vs. Shoma (kickboxing – featherweight)
• Fakhriddin Khasanov vs. Yoshida Kosei (kickboxing – flyweight)
• Petchayut Nupranburi vs. Masatoshi Hirai (Muay Thai – strawweight)
• Nakrob Fairtex vs. Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree (Muay Thai – bantamweight)
• Wuttikrai Wor Chakrawut vs. Ayoub Yassine (Muay Thai – bantamweight)
• Rambong Sor Therapat vs. Songpandin Chor Kaewwiset (Muay Thai – flyweight)
• Chabakaew Sor KanJanchai vs. Nazanin Hoseini (Muay Thai – atomweight)
• Muhammad Ridzuan vs. Riku Ito (Muay Thai – atomweight)

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