Alyse Anderson will be the fresh face in ONE Championship’s atomweight grand prix when it kicks off later this year. Anderson, who last fought prior to the coronavirus pandemic in 2019, spent her last three fights under the Invicta FC banner.
On May 28 at ONE’s all-female Empower card, Anderson (5-1), on a two-fight win streak, makes the jump to ONE, and the trip to Asia, for a chance to earn a title shot in the tournament.
Of course, her old home, Invicta, was no stranger to tournaments. Their one-night Phoenix Series proved very popular. But that wasn’t something that had Anderson’s attention.
“I never saw myself competing in a one-night tournament just because I didn’t really like that setup,” Anderson told Cageside Press during a recent virtual media day to promote ONE’s atomweight grand prix. “But when I heard that ONE was doing this, and not fighting multiple times in one night, I was really excited about it, because I love the whole setup, and especially being able to fight for the title at the end. It’s just such a great opportunity.”
As to why she decided to make the move to ONE Championship in the first place, Anderson said that “I just love how respectable the promotion is. Every fighter and martial artist, I would honestly be honored to fight anyone that’s in this tournament just because I respect them so much,” she stated. “I’m just honored to be a part of ONE. It’s something that I’ve looked forward to, and I get really excited when I think about my fight and think about what it’s doing for my whole career.”
The timing of the tournament and jump to ONE has worked out well. Anderson has made the move to Florida, and is now training at MMA Masters. “This will be a great camp for me, because it’s the first time that I’ve actually got to dedicate my whole life to training, outside of work,” said Anderson.
Asked what she would want ONE Championship fans to know about her, Anderson replied that “I want them to know that I’m not just a random American that ONE decided to pick for this tournament.”
“I’ve been in mixed martial arts since I was 18, I had my first fight a month after my 18th birthday. I come from a traditional karate background, my dad owned a karate school when I was born, I’ve been in traditional martial arts since I was a baby,” she continued. “I’m definitely ready to compete at this caliber with these atomweights.”
She’s have a chance to prove that at Empower on May 28, when she goes up against Japan’s Itsuki Hirata.
Watch the full ONE Championship virtual media day with Alyse Anderson above.
