ONE Fight Night 39: “Who is this little girl?”

Teshya Alo had no idea who the teenager across from her was back in 2022.

The Hawaiian grappler faces Helena Crevar in a women’s bantamweight submission grappling bout at ONE Fight Night 39 on Friday, Jan. 23, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.

But their first meeting happened years ago at ADCC nationals, where Alo drew the young phenom in her very first no-gi match.

During a pre-fight interview with Jits Magazine, she recalled her initial reaction to seeing Crevar for the first time.

“Yes, I did join the game a little late. My first no-gi nationals was in 2022, which is funny because my first no-gi match couple years ago, my first ADCC nationals, no-gi nationals ever, my first match was Helena. And I had no idea who she was,” Teshya Alo told Jits Magazine.

“I was like, ‘Oh, she’s so cute. Who is this little girl?’ And I was like, ‘Oh, who is this little girl?’ But it was like, wow. Like, it’s crazy the age difference,” she added.

Both grapplers have evolved significantly since 2022, but their first encounter provided Alo with blueprint knowledge that most opponents don’t possess.

She’s felt Crevar’s pressure, defended her submissions, and understands exactly what challenges next Friday’s rematch presents.

Whether that familiarity helps Alo or just proves how much Crevar’s improved since their first meeting determines who makes the better ONE Championship debut come fight night on Jan. 23.

North American fight fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription can catch the entire ONE Fight Night 39: Rambolek vs. Dayakaev card, live in U.S. primetime for free.

Watch Teshya Alo’s full pre-fight interview with Jits Magazine here:

Teshya Alo’s keys to victory against Helena Crevar

Teshya Alo has a tough test in the office when she locks horns with Crevar at ONE Fight Night 39. But her solid all-around arsenal could prove to be the difference against one of submission grappling’s fastest rising stars.

In fact, the Hawaiian ground game expert has a few keys to victory in this bantamweight battle. First, the Island Jiu Jitsu representative must use her speed to gain the upper hand against the less agile Crevar.

In the close quarters, the 28-year-old debutant has plenty of baits and movements to set up traps. Crevar’s high-fight IQ might force Alo to work extra hard to get an advantage, but her trickery should see the Hawaiian to find a way to land in mount – a place where she’s tapped many world-class athletes in the past.

That said, Crevar’s guard game isn’t ordinary. The John Danaher student is an absolute wizard, even with her back pinned to the canvas.

Still, Teshya Alo should have enough within her skill set to gain an important win over the Las Vegas native at ONE Fight Night 39.