Meksen aims to finish off Ruumet quickly

Meksen aims to finish off Ruumet quickly

Anissa Meksen, left, fights Cristina Morales last year. PR
Anissa Meksen, left, fights Cristina Morales last year. PR

Anissa Meksen had a spectacular debut in One Championship when she knocked out Cristina Morales in the second round of their kickboxing bout last September.

Now it's time to see what "C18" can do inside the circle under Muay Thai rules.

The French-Algerian fighter will switch martial arts when she faces Marie Ruumet at One: Eersel vs Sadikovic on April 22.

With a record of 101-5 and 33 of her wins coming by knockout, she enters this atomweight match-up at the Singapore Indoor Stadium feeling extremely positive about her chances.

"I'm just happy to fight. Whoever the opponent is, I don't care. I just want to fight," she said.

"I'm happy to fight [under Muay Thai rules] because of the small gloves. It's very good for me.

"She doesn't have a lot of experience, and she's never fought a girl like me. I'm experienced, a World Champion. My striking is simply better than hers. I have good skills, good punches, good kicks. And yes, I'm confident."

At 33 years old, Meksen has accomplished a lot, having earned seven kickboxing and Muay Thai world titles.

She is also a WBC Muay Thai and Glory Kickboxing world champion, as well as savate and boxing queen.

Estonia's Ruumet, 22, said she could surprise her veteran rival.

"Europeans are more accustomed to seeing kickboxing than Muay Thai. They like to see fancy combinations and explosiveness. So, I think they underestimate the calmer Muay Thai, in which a fighter throws one heavy kick and fewer combinations," said Ruumet, who trains at Marrok Force in Bangkok and who, like her rival, calls Thailand home.

"I think people are not accustomed to seeing that, and that's why they think kickboxing is superior."

For Meksen, who represents Phuket Fight Club, the objective is simple -- come away with a quick victory.

"My goal is to finish the fight in the first round," she said.

"When I see her open up, I will touch her."

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