ONE Friday Fights 143 Main Event: Vero Faces Shir Cohen in Atomweight Clash

Myanmar striking sensation Vero and Israeli star Shir Cohen will put their mutual admiration aside this Friday, 20 February, when they collide in an atomweight Muay Thai showdown headlining ONE Friday Fights 143.

The bout represents a pivotal moment for both women as they look to climb the atomweight ladder. Vero, arguably Myanmar's finest female striker, carries a formidable 29-4 career record into the contest alongside her reputation for aggressive, fan-friendly fighting.

The 29-year-old Tiger Muay Thai representative endured a difficult start to her ONE Championship journey, losing her promotional debut in 2025. However, she responded with characteristic resilience, closing the year with two solid victories.

Despite the high stakes, Vero acknowledged the respect she holds for her opponent. The Myanmar warrior revealed she'd been following Cohen's career long before their paths crossed in ONE Championship, even connecting on social media.

"I came here to become a champion. And for everyone in Myanmar who believes in me, this Friday I will show the best version of myself. I don't care about pain. I'm ready," Vero said.

"I've known Shir Cohen for a long time. Before she fought in ONE, I saw her fight at Fairtex [Fights]. She's very good and she's a nice person. We're friends on Instagram. I'm happy many Myanmar fans also like her."

Standing across from her will be Cohen, a 25-year-old Israeli who remains undefeated in the promotion with three victories in as many appearances. The dangerous contender boasts a 10-1 career record and has been knocking on the door of title contention.

Cohen earned title shots against ONE Women's Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues twice in 2025, but injuries cruelly robbed her of both opportunities. Now, after more than a year away from competition, she's determined to prove her championship resume remains intact.

"I've been away for over a year. It was a very challenging time for me because I couldn't fight, and there were many things out of my control," Cohen said.

"In this comeback fight, I want to show how much I have been working and how hungry I am to fight again. I want to show that I deserve to be here. I will try my best to finish the fight."