ONE Fight Night 39: “She’s a very dominant force”

American MMA star Natalie Salcedo knows exactly what beating Chihiro Sawada means for her career trajectory.

The undefeated fighter locks horns with the Japanese standout in an atomweight tilt at ONE Fight Night 39, which emanates live from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, this Friday, Jan. 23.

In her pre-fight interview with Nick Atkin, Natalie Salcedo explained why defeating the highly regarded star decisively could earn her a spot in the world title picture down the road.

“I would hope so [that I get into the world title picture with a win]. She’s a very dominant force in the division. Like you said, she’s up there. If I beat her, especially if I beat her decisively, I feel confident I can… I really don’t see why that wouldn’t put me in a position to start vying for a title shot,” the 33-year-old fighter shared.

Watch her full interview with Atkin below:

A victory at ONE Fight Night 39 will earn Salcedo a second straight triumph on the global stage.

In her promotional debut at ONE Fight Night 35 inside the same venue, the California-born athlete wrapped up her clash against Macarena Aragon via first-round submission.

Natalie Salcedo is ready to test just how good Sawada’s ground game really is

Natalie Salcedo has extensively studied footage of Sawada. From there, she knows her opposite number’s go-to weapon will be her suffocating grappling.

That said, the American atomweight believes she’s equipped with the necessary tools to tango with the AACC athlete there.

“If she wants to grapple, then that’s [where] I fancy myself, too. We’ll see who the better grappler is,” Salcedo told Atkin in the same exchange.

ONE Fight Night 39: Rambolek vs. Dayakaev broadcasts live in American primetime this Friday, Jan. 23, and will be free to watch for all active Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.

How-to-watch details are available here.