Shir Cohen, Israeli Muay Thai Champion, Emerges Victorious at ONE Championship

Israeli Muay Thai fighter Shir Cohen has secured a resounding victory at ONE Championship’s ONE Friday Fights 75 in Bangkok, Thailand, defeating Chilean opponent Francesca Vera by unanimous decision. The August 16 bout showcased Cohen's skill and determination, further cementing her place in the international Muay Thai scene.

Standing at 5-foot-2 and weighing 115 pounds, Cohen competes in the strawweight division. Although she has been involved in martial arts since she was 15, her official professional debut came only in March, when she defeated Bulgarian fighter Teodora Kirilova with a second-round TKO. This latest victory brings Cohen’s record to a perfect 2-0.

Cohen reflected on her journey from Tiberias, Israel, to the professional Muay Thai rings of Thailand. “I started with kickboxing and boxing in my hometown of Tiberias. At age 21, I won a gold medal in the World Games, which was my highest accomplishment at that time. Afterward, I felt the need for a new challenge, and that’s when I turned to Muay Thai,” Cohen shared. “I just fell in love with it.”

Entering the ring in Bangkok, Cohen proudly wore a Star of David necklace and waved to the crowd, her focus clear. “I really wanted this win—not just for myself, but for my people in Israel, my country, and my family,” she said.

From the first round, Cohen set the pace with a series of right kicks and relentless pressure. She mixed punches, kicks, elbows, and knees to keep Vera on the defensive. “I felt like I needed to score more, to keep the pressure on, because knocking her down wouldn’t be easy. She’s very strong,” Cohen explained.

As the fight progressed, Cohen’s dominance grew, particularly in the second round, where she unleashed powerful combinations of jabs, hooks, and uppercuts. Despite a cut from an elbow strike in the third round, Cohen maintained her intensity, responding with even greater ferocity.

“I think there’s a fear every fighter has when they get cut,” Cohen noted. “But I train with high intensity, and the way I train is the way I fight.”

When the judges’ decision was announced, Cohen stood confidently with one fist raised. The unanimous decision victory was hers. Afterward, Cohen embraced Vera, took a sip of water, and exited the ring, already thinking about what comes next.

Cohen, who now lives and trains in Thailand, has her sights set on continuing her winning streak and climbing the ranks toward a championship title. “I want to keep winning and slowly move up in the rankings until I get to the championship, to the belt,” she declared.

Reflecting on her motivation, Cohen spoke about the drive that fuels her and many others from her homeland. “Israeli people have a fire inside of them; we fight for our people, for our country,” she said. “I do it in sport, but this is just one example. Everyone has their way of fighting for what they believe in.”

Cohen’s victory is not just a personal triumph but a source of pride for Israelis and Jews worldwide, showcasing the strength and determination that drives her both in and out of the ring.

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