Vero and Kana Morimoto throw down in high-stakes atomweight kickboxing tiff at The Inner Circle on May 22

Myanmarese bruiser Vero ‘The Kayan Leopard’ and Kana ‘Krusher Queen’ Morimoto will go toe-to-toe in a high-stakes atomweight kickboxing matchup at The Inner Circle on Friday, May 22.

The winner could become the leading contender for a crack at ONE atomweight kickboxing world champion ‘The Queen’ Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom. ONE Championship unveiled this explosive war on its official site this past Sunday.

The two have dished out some highly electrifying displays throughout their tenure in the world’s largest martial arts organization. As such, fans can expect nothing less than an all-out war when they collide inside the iconic Lumpinee Stadium next month.

Vero has improved with each passing appearance inside the ONE Circle since debuting in a split decision defeat to Chilean destroyer Francisca Vera on Valentine’s Day 2025.

Just three months after that setback, ‘The Kayan Leopard’ introduced her ferocious lethwei and Muay Thai style to the global fanbase, finishing Thailand’s Junior Fairtex via TKO.

She then battled her way to a tough split decision triumph over Chinese standout Li Mingrui in November last year. The 29-year-old fighter made it three wins in a row when she eked out another hard-earned victory against Shir Cohen at ONE Friday Fights 143 this past February.

While both of her last wins came on the judges’ scorecards, ‘The Kayan Leopard’ did come close to wrapping up both fights inside the distance with the power in her fists and high-octane combinations.

The Tiger Muay Thai slugger never takes a backward step, and her aggression and timely entries will be her greatest tools to register a victory over someone of Kana’s caliber.

Kana arrives at this electric fixture against Vero riding her own momentum

Like Vero, former four-time K-1 champion Kana rides momentum into this atomweight kickboxing clash at The Inner Circle on May 22.

‘Krusher Queen’ went 1-2 in her first three appearances on the global stage, dropping unanimous decision defeats to multi-time world champion Anissa Meksen and divisional queen Phetjeeja. Her only win during that stretch came against Swedish slugger Moa Carlsson.

Despite that rough skid, the 33-year-old striker pushed both Meksen and Phetjeeja to the limit, holding her own against the two striking maestros.

Following her loss to Phetjeeja, the Team Aftermath martial artist returned to the drawing board and promised fans they would see a new version of her at ONE 173 last November.

She kept up to her promise in her atomweight kickboxing clash against Stamp Fairtex inside the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, brilliantly outstriking the former three-sport ONE world champion throughout three entertaining rounds.

Whether or not that same tactic will power her to a win over Vero remains to be seen, however. But if ‘Krusher Queen’ closes the distance behind her aggression and accurate striking, the Japanese star could find herself on the brink of a rematch against Phetjeeja for the divisional gold.