‘I Deserve To Be Here’ – Shir Cohen Aims To Reignite World Title Bid Against Vero At ONE Friday Fights 143

Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium has staged countless career-defining nights, and this Friday, February 20, Shir Cohen intends to author the latest. The Israeli striker returns to ONE Friday Fights 143 after more than a year on the sidelines, carrying both scar tissue from two injury-induced cancellations and an unshakeable conviction that she is still the division’s most dangerous contender.

Cohen, 27, was poised to challenge Allycia Hellen Rodrigues for the ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title in March 2025 and again last June. Each time her body betrayed her. Rather than risk a hasty comeback, she relocated to Pattaya’s Fairtex Training Center, drilling footwork, speed combinations and defensive layers while the division moved on without her.

“I’ve been away for over a year,” Cohen said. “It was a very challenging time because I couldn’t fight, and many things were out of my control. I took this time to become a better fighter and a better version of myself.”

The payoff begins against Vero, the 29-year-old Myanmar puncher nicknamed “The Kayan Leopard.” Vero arrives on back-to-back promotional wins, including stoppages over Junior Fairtex and Li Mingrui, and looms as the last obstacle between Cohen and the championship conversation she believes never should have left her grasp.

“She’s a very good fighter,” Cohen acknowledged. “She has really good boxing and power, but I believe in my hard work and my skills. My footwork and speed could be better [than hers] and could work for me in this fight. I’ve been working on it a lot.”

A victory would push Cohen’s ONE ledger to 4-0 and extend her overall winning streak to six, numbers she hopes will resonate with matchmakers when the next title shot is assigned. She makes no secret of her ambition: “I want to fight for the belt. This is my dream, this is my goal.”

First comes Vero, and Cohen promises a statement. “In this comeback fight I want to show how much I have been working and how hungry I am. I want to show that I deserve to be here. I will try my best to finish the fight.”

Should she succeed, Cohen will turn her attention to the March 13 superfight between Rodrigues and Phetjeeja Lukjaoporongtom at ONE Fight Night 41, a bout that could determine her future opponent. “I can’t choose,” she admitted. “Anything can happen, especially with small gloves and five rounds.”

For now, all that matters is the woman standing across the ring on Friday night. One decisive win, Cohen believes, will restore the momentum injuries stole and return the atomweight belt to the center of her sights.