Teshya Noelani Alo will make her long-awaited arrival in ONE Championship next month, drawing a high-profile assignment in her promotional debut against rising star Helena Crevar at ONE Fight Night 39 on Jan. 23 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.
Alo is an accomplished grappler with a highly decorated background in jiu-jitsu, judo, and wrestling. But it’s her work outside of combat sports that makes her even more unique, in addition to competing, she’s also worked as a stunt double on projects such as Chief of War.
“It really is my ADHD brain wanting to do a bunch of different things,” Alo told Cageside Press.
“I just finished winning the blue belt world championships at IBJJF, and then I get a call for Chief of War, Jason Momoa’s new TV series, saying they need more women who can do flips and stuff.”
The opportunity to work on the show doing “flips and stuff” was a perfect fit for Alo, who admitted she could hardly believe she was getting paid to do it.
“I was like, ‘flips?! And I get paid for this? What?!’ it was like a dream come true. So I went to the audition, it was like judo warm up class. I was like this is the alphabet. This is like eating cake for me,” she said.
“They loved it. I got the job and I’ve been working on shows ever since. Lilo and Stitch, the new Moana live-action, Hawaii Rescue Now, NCIS. Just a bunch of different shows. I’ve been so blessed.”
Now, Alo brings her grappling skill set and athleticism to the ONE Championship stage at ONE Fight Night 39, an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.
“The opportunity got placed to me on my lap by my coach. He’s very eager to showcase my skills. He wants the whole world to know how hard I train, and I’m so grateful for that,” she said.
“I get to fight the #1 girl in the world, go to another country I’ve never been before, I get paid to do it. I said yes right away! I was like, where do I sign?”
Alo will face the world’s top-ranked female grappler, Helena Crevar, at ONE Fight Night 39, a rematch years in the making.
When Alo was told who her opponent would be, she couldn’t contain her excitement.
“I was like, “are you insane?!” I said tell me you’re not joking right now, swear to me right now you’re not joking! I always wanted the hardest person on the mat. I’ve always wanted the biggest challenge,” she said.
“I’m very competitive and I think that’s where it comes from. Growing up with a lot of siblings, I have that competitiveness about me.”
Alo’s enthusiasm for the matchup makes it clear she isn’t just excited about joining ONE, she’s eager for the chance to test herself on the biggest stage against the best in the world.
“This is the best thing for me. She’s the #1 girl in the world, and I love challenges. It’s going to be a big challenge and I’m up for it,” said Alo.
“I’m so excited!”
ONE Fight Night 39 takes place on January 23 from Lumpinee Stadium.
