Victoria Souza’s Search for Stability

Steady footing has proven elusive for Victoria Souza in ONE Championship—a common issue for successful regional prospects trying to adapt to a higher level of competition.

The 26-year-old Brazilian atomweight will attempt to even her record inside the Singapore-based promotion when she tackles Itsuki Hirata as part of the ONE 167 undercard this Friday at Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Souza has won two of her past three bouts. However, she finds herself on the rebound following a unanimous decision defeat to Noelle Grandjean at ONE on Prime Video 20 in March. Souza made certain to cover all the bases ahead of her latest assignment.

“I’m ready,” she told Sherdog.com. “The only change was arriving earlier to Thailand. The last time, I arrived four days beforehand. This time, I came two weeks ahead to adapt to the climate and time zone difference. The first few training sessions were challenging. It’s very hot here. The feels-like temperature is 106 degrees. This time, I made the investment to finish out my training camp in Thailand. I’m feeling very focused.”

Hirata, 24, enters the match on the heels of back-to-back decision losses to Seo Hee Ham and Ayaka Miura. She has gone the distance in five straight fights.

“I was able to watch all her bouts in the organization,” Souza said. “There are no easy opponents. Everyone is very knowledgeable, and so am I.”

Souza split her training between Ataque Duplo in her native Brazil and her temporary camp in Phuket, Thailand. Coaches Nazareno Malegarie, Ricardo Bortoluzzi, Geverson Pereira Bergamo and Jean Carlos Pereira have been entrusted with overseeing her continued development.

“We put together our strategy for my opponent,” Souza said. “This camp has been perfect.”

Souza recognizes the fact that she has work to do in order to become a mainstay in the 115-pound weight class. Her lone win under the ONE banner—a February 2023 decision over Linda Darrow—has been sandwiched between losses to Victoria Lee and the aforementioned Grandjean.

“My plan is to always evolve as a fighter and in my personal life,” Souza said. “Every new fight is a new opportunity. I’ll never turn down an opponent. I always keep my weight in check so I can fight. My goal is to keep improving and becoming a bigger name in the organization.

“Prior to my last fight, I hadn’t fought in over a year, so I had been feeling discouraged,” she added. “Now, I’m fully focused. Last time, I was considering going to college since I wasn’t getting booked, but now I’m excited after getting my contract renewed.”

Souza claims to already have an offer from ONE Championship matchmakers regarding her next opponent, provided the former Gladiator Combat Fight headliner can get past Hirata.

“I’m not allowed to disclose it yet,” she said. “Any fight that ONE offers me, I accept right away.”